PREVIEW: Gresley FC vs Haughmond FC

Gresley return to the Moat Ground this weekend looking to build upon their vital 1-0 victory at Lye Town last time out.

In another important encounter at the bottom of the table, Gresley welcome Haughmond to the Moat Ground looking to string back-to-back victories together for the first time this season.

Haughmond currently find themselves in 15th place in the Midland Premier League with 22 points from 22 games, meaning a win would take them to 14th and ease any lingering relegation concerns. Meanwhile, Gresley could narrow the gap to 17th placed Tividale to just two points with victory and strengthen the buffer between themselves and the bottom two.

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A Look at the Opposition

Last time out Haughmond claimed a respectable point as they drew 1-1 away at Heather St Johns. They had in fact taken the lead in the 25th minute through Luke Ward, yet their lead would only last nine minutes as Umar Zaman quickly equalised for the home side. However, they would’ve seen it as a strong point and will give them confidence they can claim something from the Moatmen on Saturday.

It has been a stuttering period for Haughmond, with just the singular win in their last five games - a crucial 2-1 victory over Tividale. Yet, Haughmond still find themselves looking over their shoulders, particularly after a damaging 1-0 defeat to Racing Club Warwick.

Gresley’s visitors have struggled a lot away from home this season, and McDermott’s men will take confidence from their tribulations. Haughmond have in fact only claimed one win on the road all season - a surprising 2-0 victory at Coventry United.

Yet Gresley must not underestimate this determined Haughmond side, particularly after what happened in the reverse fixture. When the two sides last met in late October in a relegation six-pointer, two goals from substitute Christian Oldham in the final ten minutes handed the Shrewsbury-based side a much-needed three points.

However, Gresley have picked up three wins since, after having no wins prior to the fixture, so Haughmond can expect to find this Gresley side with much more confidence than the one they matched up against in October.

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One to Watch

The man currently in form for Haughmond is actually centre-back Luke Ward. An unlikely source of goals, Ward has scored twice in his last three games - both coming from free-kicks. Before opening the scoring against Heather, the goal-scoring centre-half sealed all three points for his side with an 88th minute winner against Tividale.

Gresley will certainly have to make sure they do not give away any cheap free kicks otherwise they could be duly punished by Ward and his side.