FC Stratford boss ready to make changes against Gornal
FOOTBALL
FC STRATFORD are ready to make changes as they set out to extend their perfect start to the season - and produce a second cup surprise in successive weekends.
Manager Dave Poulson is keen to keep the full squad involved after a brilliant start to the campaign with seven wins out of seven.
After toppling Midland League Division One side Chelmsley Town in the Coventry Evening Telegraph Cup last weekend, they face another team from leagues above them when West Midlands League Division One outfit Gornal Athletic visit the MoodChimp Stadium today (Saturday) in the Birmingham Vase first round.
“We will make four or five changes against Gornal and the players understand that,” said Poulson.
“I’ve got full confidence in the lads that come in. When I look at the bench I know they can all come into the XI and play well.”
Alcester Town manager Danny Janes wants to see more from his players as they look to extend their unbeaten run to six games with a home clash against Continental Star in Midland League Division Three.
Janes was pleased with the result in last week’s 3-1 win at Birmingham Tigers.
But he believes there is plenty of room to improve.
Last week’s man-of-the-match Lewis Marston is a case in point.
“I said the previous week that we have not seen the real Lewis Marston yet. Against the Tigers, he showed how good he is,” said Janes. “He had everything, he won battles all over the pitch as well technically being superb in terms of his passing range – I still think there is more to come from him.
Shipston Excelsior have been dealt a blow with the prospect of playmaker Alex Seys facing a lengthy lay-off.
The midfielder hurt his knee playing against Birmingham Tigers three weeks ago but it no seems he has damaged his anterior cruciate ligament.
“He could be out for the season,” said manager Steve Hedderman.
Shipston welcome Boldmere Sports & Social Falcons to London Road tomorrow but Hedderman will have to make changes with several players heading to Lithuania to support England in their final World Cup qualifier.
James Drinkwater and Will Brocklehurst are also missing.
The weekend’s matches are all part of Non-League Day.
Held each year during the international break, Non-League Day takes advantage of the lack of Premier League and Championship match action to showcase fooball lower down in the football pyramid.
There is also a focus on community, partnering with Prostate Cancer UK (PCUK) and Kick It Out.
Matches across the country will be raise funds for, and awareness of, prostate cancer, an illness that affects thousands of men in Britain every year, and promote equality and challenge all aspects of discrimination at all levels of the game through Kick It Out.
