THE FA VASE: STOURPORT SWIFTS v SKEGNESS TOWN: THE MATCH PREVIEW...

 FA VASE PREVIEW:

STOURPORT SWIFTS v 

SKEGNESS TOWN AFC…

WALSHES MEADOW...

Clearly, this will be the first time I see Skegness play and in truth they have a tough tie against Stourport, as well as a long trek to the banks of the River Severn. Swifts have begun this season so well, however this is a knock-out competition and needless to say, all the players from both teams need to perform well on the day and I guess therefore that anything could happen at Walshes Meadow, bordering a lively, boisterous, if incongruous fairground…

Strangely, just a couple of miles away, Bewdley Town are hosting Stapenhill in the same competition on Saturday, so there’s a lot at stake in local bragging rights, I reckon…

Quentin Townsend, the Stourport manager and Nick Chapman, part of the Skegness management team have provided a few thoughts for this preview and I thank them heartily…

Swifts qualified for this round of the FA Vase by winning 1-3 at Uttoxeter Town, where the goals were scored by Bailey Fuller and Jack Watts, who nabbed a brace. 

JACK WATTS: LEADING SCORER WITH 8...

The league form for Stourport has seen 6 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses and the team currently lies 3rd in the Step 5 Midland League Premier Division. The goals ratio is 27-15, with a solid difference of +12, whilst a total of 20 points has been amassed. However, the two teams above them and also the pair below them do have matches in hand…

DREW CANAVAN: 4 GOALS THIS TERM...

The last three matches included a 3-3 draw v Racing Club Warwick, in which Joe Phillips, Watts and Ryan Wollacott netted. Next came two wins, also at home, firstly a 4-2 victory  against Walsall Wood (goals by Drew Canavan, Watts 2 & Wollacott) and secondly a fine 4-1 success against a strong Gresley Rovers outfit, the goalscorers being Fuller, Phillips 2 and James Timmins. I saw that match and the highlights can be watched by going to themowdog.blogspot.co.uk  

MARTIN 'SLEV THE MEAN' SLEVIN: MIDFIELDER...

Watts leads the goalscoring chart overall with 8, followed by Canavan with 4…

Swifts’ Manager Quentin Townsend comments on his team’s progress this term:

“I’ve been delighted with our progress as a football club this season; we are reaching for and achieving new levels every week.

We have a solid, close-knit group of lads that I know can action what I ask of them. The league table currently demonstrates that.

QUENTIN TOWNSEND...

As is the case for most clubs, the FA Vase provides an opportunity to test ourselves against unknown opposition and gives the club the chance to earn some much needed prize money, should we win.

I’ve not had Skegness watched on this occasion, for I feel that if we play our normal game then they will hopefully be the ones worrying about us.

THIS IS NOT THE LIMIT OF A STOURPORT WARM-UP, HONESTLY...

I am hoping that we start the game well like we have done in most games this season, try to get an early goal and then be professional enough to see it through 90 minutes.

We have some good penalty takers within the ranks and we won’t be shy with people stepping forward, should that be the case. It’s not something we will be working on in training, as hopefully we can get the job done in the 90 minutes.’’

Step 6 Skegness from the Northern Counties East League Division 1 have played just 7 league matches thus far, winning 4, drawing 1 and losing 2. The goals-ratio is tight, 14-11, hence a difference of +3, with a points tally of 13. They are holding onto a healthy 7th place in the divisional standings. 

Following their Vase victory at Borrowash Victoria (0-3), where the goalscorers were Dan Durkin, Dan Trott and James Petronzio, the next three league clashes ended with a loss, a draw and then a win.

DAN DURKIN: SCORED IN THE FA VASE AT BORROWASH...

A road trip to Worsbrough Bridge Athletic saw the hosts beat them 3-0, before they drew 2-2, courtesy of a late equaliser at home to Armthorpe Welfare, the goals being scored by Josh Nichol & Gary King. The most recent outing was a trip to Nostell Miners Welfare, where goals by Jason Field, Jenk Acar & King secured a 1-3 victory. 

TOM SAWYER, 8 MIDFIELD APPEARANCES THIS SEASON...

Acar leads the goalscorers with 4 overall, closely followed by Trott with 3 and Durkin with 2… 

JENK ACAR: LEADS THE SCORERS WITH 4...

Nick Chapman, part of the management team at Skegness, who is also a trustee and committee member, kindly wrote a few words about his club’s progress this season:

“The NCEL is a really tough league with clubs trying to get promoted into Step 5, which we were looking to achieve until last season was made null and void.

Our season so far has been blighted by injuries to top players and it has been tough to say the least. We probably played our best football last week away at Nostell MW and won 3-1.

THE LILYWHITES...

The FA Vase is really important to us as it gives us a break from the league, however we would have preferred a tie a bit closer than an eight hour round trip to the match at Stourport. We are looking forward to the test though, against what is a very good side in one of the hardest Step 5 leagues.

We have had Swifts watched and we are expecting a tough encounter but it’s one we are relishing. We always try to prepare properly for every contest so Saturday will be no different.’’

SKEGGY MANAGER NATHAN COLLINS...

Video highlights of the tie, with full commentary, may be found at themowdog.blogspot.co.uk from Sunday, along with screenshots, images and a full, neutral match report… 

The Mowdog…