Do or die as Yeltz battle against drop
The bottom two in Southern Central clash at the Grove when Halesowen Town take on Bedworth United tomorrow (3pm). Bedworth have long since been relegated having only accumulated 15 points from their 37 games to date, but they could take the Yeltz down with them.
Lee Hughes’s men side will return to the fourth tier of the non-league pyramid for the first time in five years if they fail to beat Bedworth and Lowestoft Town overcome Coalville Town on the same afternoon.
At the other end of the table, Stourbridge are looking to cling on to home advantage in the play-offs by finishing second or third.
They currently have a two-point advantage over third-placed King’s Lynn Town, six over fourth-placed Stratford Town and seven over Alvechurch in fifth.
There appears to be no danger of them falling out of the play-off positions all together – they need just one win from their final five games to confirm their place.
Rushall Olympic, in 10th, saw their six-game unbeaten run ended by Needham Market last weekend. They hope to return to winning ways at play-off hopefuls Stratford Town tomorrow (3pm). “We were disappointed with the result and to see our unbeaten run come to an end in our last game,” admitted manager, Liam McDonald. “We can’t forget how well we have done since the turn of the year and we’ll go to Stratford determined to bounce straight back and add to our impressive record on the road.
“Of course there are going to be times when we lose because we’re not the finished article yet, but I’ll be looking for us to respond in the right way and start up another unbeaten run.
“We’re in a position where we’re looking to finish within the top ten in what is a really competitive League and we’ve also got a Cup Final to look forward to, so there is plenty still to play for.
“It’ll be a tough one against Stratford because they have done well this season and sit fourth, but we are looking forward to the challenge.”
Kidderminster Harriers can give their fading play-off challenge a boost when they host fifth-placed Bradford Park Avenue in National North tomorrow (3pm).
Stafford Rangers will only be able to sit back and watch when the Northern Premier relegation battle resumes tomorrow.
Boro’s recent improvement was brought to a shuddering halt when they lost 5-3 at Hyde United last weekend, leaving them four points above the bottom three.
They don’t play again until they visit table-topping Farsley Celtic on Tuesday (7.45pm), meaning they are now playing a waiting game to see what their rivals can do.
“It was a blemish for us all really,” said co-boss Alex Meechan of the Hyde defeat. “It’s a long 10 days now, Mickleover played Tuesday and won, they’re just four points behind us.
“We don’t play Saturday, it’s a long waiting game to see where we are.
“Tuesday we’ve obviously got top of the table, we’re going to embrace the challenge, but it’s tough.
“Can the players deal with pressure and the situation we’re in?
“There will be plenty more bumps and bruises along the road.”
After a season of struggle and takeover turmoil, Hednesford Town have somehow come out the other side with the top 10 in their sights. Nicky Eaden’s men make the long trip to second-placed South Shields tomorrow (3pm) knowing victory could put them level on points with the teams in 10th and 11th.
Chasetown could move as high as 12th when they host second-bottom Kendal Town tomorrow (3pm).
