Charles Hague-Jones previews the Meadowmen’s second West Midland Regional League game of the 2020/21 campaign
28 September 2020
@chaguejones
Our second encounter in the West Midland Regional League sees Ward and his men take a trip to Shifnal’s Coppice Green Ln for the second time this season. The two sides met in the FA Cup earlier on in the season, where Shifnal ran out 4-1 winners over the Meadowmen. It was highly probable that if the 2019/20 season had finished as planned, Shifnal could have been crowned the champions. They were sat on 60 points after 23 games, which they had won 20 and lost just three all season.
So far, Shifnal have played two games in the league compared to the Meadowmen’s one. The Meadowmen shared the points on their opening day with a late equaliser against Worcester Raiders. In Shifnal’s two games so far they have come out victorious on both occasions, beating Smethwick Rangers 5-1 and overcoming Cradley Town 2-0 on the road.
I think the Meadowmen will struggle to find a tougher opposition this season, especially away from home. It’s important that Ward and his side wipe out the memories of their loss in the FA Cup just a few weeks ago and get up for it again to take the game to Shifnal Town.
Form
WWWLW
It’s not hard to understand how this side are so highly rated. Virtually being robbed of a league title last year due to COVID-19 must be hard for any side to take, but will also inject them with confidence to go and make sure they do it all again.
I think a bunch of wins and the odd loss, whether it be in another competition for Shifnal, will be the running theme for them this season. However, writing off Ward’s Meadowmen is never a clever thing to do.
One to watch
After an electric start to the season for Shifnal Town, my one to watch has to be their forward Kyle Montague. Montague was at the double in Shifnal’s previous game which saw those goals be decisive in a 2-0 win away at Cradley Town. With already 6 goals in only 5 games so far this season, there will simply be no surprise if come the end of the season, it’s around the high twenties mark. It would be also hard to look the other way with Montague’s strike partners, Brad Sharman and Tom Hill, who also both have 6 goals already this season.
Summary
After both sides enjoying jubilation and commiseration in the FA Cup already this season, the league will become a focal point for both managers. With what I predict to be a decent gathering of fans under the lights on Tuesday roaring on both sides. The result could go many ways and we could be in for a very lively game week two in the WMRL Premier.
Live updates of the game will be available on Twitter @AFCBridgnorth during Saturday’s league opener.
Updated COVID-19 guidelines are also found on the clubs’ social media pages. Please enjoy the game and stay safe.