STUDLEY FC v WORCESTER RAIDERS: THE MOWDOG'S MATCH PREVIEW...

 Studley FC v Worcester Raiders: 

The Mowdog’s Preview…

First against second in the Hellenic League Division 1 happens on Saturday and in truth, this is a real clash of power teams in the division. Studley’s Bees are top of the division on goal difference but they also have two games in hand over Worcester’s Raiders.

A setback was suffered by Worcester last Saturday when the rejuvenated Abingdon United won at the Sixways Stadium, which means that a win for the Raiders at the Beehive would seem to be a necessity…

My preview spotlights the recent form of these two heavyweight teams and from a reporter’s point of view, I hope that the encounter will be memorable for all the right reasons…

Studley have won 18, drawn only 1 and lost 4 of their 23 matches in the league, amassing 55 points. Their goal-difference is currently +50, conceding only 11 times in 11 home matches at the Beehive so far and scoring 70 goals in their 23 outings… 

STUDLEY CELEBRATE A GOAL AT FC STRATFORD...

Raiders have also won 18 times from 25 games and they too have only drawn once but they have also lost 6 times. Their goal-difference is +45 and they of course have 55 points, just like their hosts… 

Worcester have scored 43 times from 13 trips on the road, meaning an average of 3.31 per game, illustrating their attacking prowess on opponents’ grounds. In fact they have scored fewer goals on their own pitch, where they have netted 34 times.

Studley have conceded just 20 goals altogether from their 23 outings, an average of 0.87 per game, whilst Raiders have conceded 32 from their total of 25 matches, an average of 1.28 goals per encounter.

The reverse fixture on October 9th 2021 ended in a 1-4 away win for the Bees, for whom MVP Alfie Bloomer, Jack Cresswell and a brace by Jordan Murphy handed Studley a stunning victory. Murphy would join the Raiders as the season progressed… Substitute Rich Smith netted a consolation goal for Worcester, whose MVP was designated as Joe Billingham. 

The Bees’ last 5 matches…

An important 0-1 success at Littleton, courtesy of a Robbie Bunn strike was followed by a close 1-0 home victory v Hereford Pegasus, the goal coming from Sam Jackson, whilst Sean Brain was voted as the MVP for the Bees.

SEAN BRAIN: 10 GOALS THIS TERM...

A 2-1 home win v Abingdon United, with goals by Ben Birch and Dan Carter came next, before Cheltenham Saracens held the Bees to a 0-0 draw at their Petersfield Park ground, Studley’s only tied game of the season. A comfortable 0-4 success at Malmesbury Vics’ Flying Monk ground followed, the goals being scored by Dale Edwards and a Carter hat-trick.

WIL BEACH, LEFT, IS RECOVERING FROM INJURY BUT HERE HE MARKS EX-FC STRATFORD STRIKER LEVI STEELE, WHO IS NOW SCORING GOALS FOR EASINGTON SPORTS...

The leading overall scorers for Studley are currently Bloomer with 15, whilst Brain, Carter and the departed Murphy have 10 each. 

JORDAN MURPHY PLAYING FOR STUDLEY AT FC STRATFORD...

The recent form of the Raiders…

A disappointing 2-3 home loss to Cirencester Town Development included goals by Murphy and Smith, whilst Jaber Ahmed was voted the MVP for Worcester. Next a 3-0 win v Hereford Pegasus was enjoyed, the goals coming from Isaac Cooper, Kai Mahon and replacement Ollie Thompson. Aksum White was given the MVP accolade but Pegasus did have Rory Worthing dismissed after only 28 minutes.

ISAAC COOPER, RIGHT: 20 GOALS THIS SEASON...

A trip to high-flying Milton United came next and the Raiders drew for the only time this term, 2-2. Mahon and Murphy scored and Ant Miller was voted as the MVP.

A 0-6 victory at struggling Bourton followed, the goals being nabbed by Connor Deards with a brace, Billingham, Mahon, substitute Oli Mulders and an own-goal. Logan Stoddart was voted the MVP for Worcester. However, Jack Galpin of Bourton was dismissed after receiving two yellow cards…

CONNOR DEARDS: A BRACE v BOURTON ROVERS...

Last time out was the 1-2 home defeat to Abingdon, despite another Murphy goal. It was interesting though that not only was one of United’s goalscorers, Isiah Stallone (I wonder what his nickname might be?) dismissed for two yellow cards in the game but also that Abingdon chose Worcester goalie Ryan Young as the match’s MVP…

KAI MAHON HAS JUST SCORED v FC STRATFORD...

Cooper leads the overall Worcester goalscoring chart with 20, followed by Mahon with 13. 

(Murphy has 4 goals for the Raiders too, so his league total for these two teams is a healthy 14…) 

Video highlights with full commentary from this clash, plus screenshots, images and an independent match report will be available from Sunday morning at themowdog.blogspot.com   

The Mowdog...