Black Country rivals lock horns again on another Wembley path

Rivals Rushall Olympic and Stourbridge do battle in FA knockout competition for a second time this season as Ian Long admitted both clubs would prefer some variety.

Pics boss Long saw his side progress in FA Cup first qualifying action in the back yard of Black Country rivals Stourbridge at the beginning of the month.

And the pair hit the Wembley trail again, this time at Dales Lane, to kickstart their FA Trophy campaigns in the third qualifying round.

The Pics are seventh in Southern Premier Central following a midweek 3-2 win over Kettering, with Scott Adey-Linforth’s Glassboys down in 14th after Tuesday’s defeat to leaders Real Bedford.

Long said: “They will be tough - obviously we beat Stourbridge in the FA Cup not so long ago and it’s not a great draw for either side, you want to play somebody different.

“They will be (thinking) the same as us.

“But we’re at home this time, we want to try to build a bit of momentum.

“We had a decent run at the start of the season and put three or four wins together. We want to try to replicate that and use this as a bit of a springboard to get on another run.

“I think we’re more than capable of it and I’d like to think the lads believe it themselves after Tuesday because I’ve questioned their belief. We’ve been in every game this season.”

Step four Stafford Rangers have already progressed through two rounds of the competition with victories away to Corby and Kidsgrove and will have to upset the odds at Southern Premier South strugglers Gloucester, of the division above.

Graham Deakin’s Boro are in Cup mood having secured FA Cup progress with last weekend’s excellent 3-2 win over higher-ranked Hereford in front of 36-year high attendance of more than 3,000.

They have been drawn at Halesowen Town in the next round of the Cup, and the Yeltz are also in Trophy action this weekend, with a home clash against Wellingborough Town, of Northern Midlands.

In-form Kidderminster Harriers look to extend a superb eight-match unbeaten run near the National League’s summit against fellow high-flyers Yeovil Town.

The Glovers, in the final play-off place of seventh, come to Aggborough three points and four places below Paul Wotton’s Harriers.

Lowly Hednesford Town welcome fellow strugglers Radcliffe desperate for a spark to lift their National League North fortunes.

The newly-promoted Pitmen have won just two of nine league fixtures so far this term and are one point above the drop zone.

Pressure cranked up on under-fire boss Kelvin Davis last weekend as Town were eliminated at home in the FA Cup by Coventry United, who have just been promoted to step four, two divisions below.

Play-off chasing Chasetown head to Runcorn Linnets in Northern West, with managerless Lichfield City at home to mid-table Mossley after Matty Lovatt’s departure.