Non-league previews: Town bid to extend unbeaten run

Town head for Hellenic League Division rivals Chipping Sodbury Town, where they will bid to extend their unbeaten run to six matches.

And they will go there on the back of a solid 3-1 success at home to Southam United last weekend.

Front-runner Ryan Clarke took centre stage again as he bagged a second successive hat-trick to take his tally for the season to 23.

“We were good on Saturday. The first half was probably up there with our best of the season,” said joint-boss Sean Evans. "We controlled the game from the start and had a few good openings.

"We missed three very good chances and when they went 1-0 up, I was hoping it wasn’t going to be one of those days. But we scored straight after them to level things up and then added another one just before half-time.

"The second half was a bit scrappy at times, but we were still comfortable and our keeper has only had to make one save, to be honest.

"The lads are definitely learning as the season goes on and I was really pleased with their game management on Saturday.

"We had a poor run around Christmas time, but I think we have turned the corner now.

"That’s five unbeaten now, including a couple of wins against sides from the division above.”

After Saturday’s clash, Ludlow will travel to take on Premier Division outfit Westfields in the Wiseman Lighting Floodlit Cup on Tuesday.

Evans was in action himself last Friday night, netting the only goal as Ludlow reserves won 1-0 at Worcester United in the Herefordshire League.

Midland Premier

Third-placed Shifnal Town continue pushing for the top spot in the Midland League Premier Division as they take on fourth-placed 1874 Northwich on Saturday, writes Dan Hickey.

The two title contenders drew 1-1 back in October at a time when Shifnal were 11th and 21 points off the top. They now sit eight points behind Lichfield with two games in hand.

Whitchurch Alport will be second if they win their five games in hand, however the sixth-placed side first travel to Studley, with whom they are level on points.

The fixture marks the start of a five-week run of playing on both Saturdays and Tuesdays, after their winter schedule was devastated by weather postponements.

AFC Bridgnorth are seven points clear of the Midland One relegation zone ahead of their next game against 15th-placed Birstall United Social.

It comes after their worst loss of the season to runaway league-leaders Nuneaton Town, however league rivals Stapenhill, Chelmsley Town and Lutterworth Athletic all failed to capitalise on Bridgnorth’s loss.

Market Drayton Town are away at struggling Runcorn Town in North West Counties League Division One South, while relegation-threatened Allscott Heath travel to mid-table Ashville and Shawbury United hope to climb off the foot of the table against top-four side Abbey Hulton United.

 West Midlands League Premier Division title favourites Telford Town are at home in cup action at the weekend, as they take on Shrewsbury Up & Comers in the Shropshire Challenge Cup.