Gill has swotted up as he bids to pass Vase test

Casuals host Midland League outfit Romulus tomorrow and they will be well versed in the strengths and weaknesses of their opposition, writes Nick Elwell.

Gill checked out Romulus in person recently and has put a plan in place – now he is looking for his West Midlands League Premier Division high-flyers to follow it through.

“Along with the Tividale game, this is probably going to be our toughest test of the season so far,” said Gill.

“Just over 12 months ago, Romulus were step four and we were step seven.

“I went to watch them against Westfields recently and they are a good side. They have some good players and like to attack. It should be a great game.

“We always watch the opposition and try to find out as much about them as possible.

“I picked up a few things from watching them and we will have a plan. We know what we have got to do. But 80 per cent of the result tomorrow will be about what we do and how we play.

“You can have the best plan in the world, but that won’t matter if you don’t perform.”

Gill has kept his side, who have lost just once in the league this season, active in the build up to tomorrow’s clash and with a midweek run out against the RAF.

And he feels his side will go into the game in good heart after winning 3-1.

“We had a friendly against the RAF in midweek and we were excellent,” he said.

“I asked the lads to treat it like a proper game and I was really pleased with how they played.

“We trained for two hours on Tuesday, played Wednesday and since then the players have rested up.

“We are ready for tomorrow and we will give it a real good go, like we always do.”

Dave King is keen to avoid an unwanted hat-trick when Tividale travel to Chelmsley Town tomorrow.

King has seen his charges slip out of the Vase at the first round stage in the last two seasons.

Tividale have made an impressive start in the West Midlands League Premier Division but he is preparing for a tricky test tomorrow against the Midland League Division One outfit, who play on Coleshill’s 3G pitch.

“There are some decent sides in their division,” said King. “We lost to Brocton, who are the same level, at this stage last season so I am expecting a tough game.

“But we want to make progress and hopefully have a good run in the Vase.

“We had a decent run in the FA Cuip last year but have lost in the first round of this competition in the last couple of seasons.”

King will go into the clash with his selection options reduced.

“We have four lads away to due to holidays and a wedding, but that gives a few who have not been playing regularly the chance to step up and show what they can do,” he added.

FA Vase: AFC Wulfrunians v Wellington; Ashby Ivanhoe v Bewdley Town; Black Country Rangers v Dudley Town; Cadbury Athletic v Wem Town; Chelmsley Town v Tividale; Coventry Copeswood v Hereford Lads Club; Dudley Sports v Hanley Town; Littleton v Smethwick Rangers; Lye Town v Bolehall Swifts; Saffron Dynamo v Heath Hayes; Stone Old Alleynians v Sporting Khalsa; Uttoxeter Town v Walsall Wood; Wednesfield v Bromyard Town; Wolverhampton Casuals v Romulus F C; NKF Burbage v Cradley Town; Wellington Amateurs v Racing Club Warwick FC

Midland League - Premier: Highgate United v Stourport Swifts; Wolverhampton Sporting Community v Worcester City.

West Midlands League - Premier: Haughmond v Bilston Town Community; Malvern Town v Shawbury United; Shifnal Town v AFC Bridgnorth.

Division One: Droitwich Spa v Sikh Hunters; Team Dudley v Darlaston Town (1874); Telford Juniors v Gornal Athletic; Worcester Raiders v Old Wulfrunians; Wrens Nest v Allscott AFC.

Division Two: AFC Bentley v Wolverhampton United; AFC Bridgnorth Dev v Gornal Colts; Ludlow v Hawkins Sports; Oldbury v F C Darlaston; Rock Rovers v Warstones Wanderers; Tipton Town Res v Church Stretton.

“I’m pleased with the start but not surprised by it.

“Eight of the players who played last Saturday where in my Wednesfield side that played in Hunt Cup final three years ago.

“A lot of clubs chop and change and bring a lot of players in but I like to build. This group of players has been together a long time.