Charles Hague-Jones previews the FA vase second round tie as the Meadowmen travel to Walsall on Wednesday.
8 December 2020 @chaguejones
Our FA Vase second round tie is an away trip to Walsall, closer to home than round one in Lincolnshire. The Meadowmen managed to surpass Harrowby United in round one, giving them a historic day in the club’s recent history as they progressed into the second round for just the second time.
The fixture was set to take place in late November but was postponed due to coronavirus lockdown restrictions, then, the fixture was re-arranged to be played on Saturday the 5th of December but was called off due to a waterlogged Walsall Wood pitch. Third time lucky? The game is set to take place on Wednesday night as both sides have a huge job of mentally brushing off the dust and getting back into the swing of things as they will both be looking for that golden ticket into round three.
AFC Bridgnorth are the only team left in the competition that play their league football in the WMRL. Before the weekend, Bewdley Town and Dudley Sports were also still in but lost out as their fixtures did take place on the weekend.
Bewdley Town exited after losing 3-1 against Radford on the weekend, whilst Dudley Sports were knocked out on penalties by Coventry Sphinx.
Walsall Wood play their league football in the Midland Football League – Premier Divison and currently sit 11th, having played just 11 games this season.
Form
League- WDLLWWDLLW
FA Vase- Exempt to second round
One to watch
After just beginning to startle teams with electrifying form near the end of October, Tom Grainger has to be the one to watch. He can produce moments in games that make a huge difference. Fitness levels could maybe prove concerning but class is permanent. Expect an impact on Wednesday night from the big forward and hopefully, goals.
Summary
A taster of normal football life will be resumed for just one night so it’s very likely there will be all out pressure enforced from both sides from the get go. AFC Bridgnorth will want to make amends for their defeat against Walsall Wood in the Vase, in the 2015/16 season when they lost 3-2 late on. An opponent from the step above as far as the non-league ladder goes means the away side come into the fixture as underdogs on paper. However, it seems there’s that bit of fighting spirit and hunger, which the players showed away at Harrowby in round one, which could claw them through, with bags of grit and determination. All in all, it’s a tie set up for fireworks.