The end of the season is not too far away, and the playoff race is hotting up. Stratford Town look to increase their chances of grabbing a playoff place today, as they take on Halesowen Town.
The Key Facts:
- Stratford Town are just one point away from Telford in 7th place. If they can get the win over Halesowen then it puts more pressure on Telford as they look to overtake them.
- Halesowen aren’t too far away in the playoff race themselves, with the club just four points behind Telford and three points away from Stratford in 8th place. If they can grab a shock win today, then they give themselves a much better chance at not only going above Stratford but also to catapult themselves back into the playoff race.
- Callum Ebanks will be Stratford’s danger man in the game today. The striker has achieved a goal tally of 14 goals, making himself the club’s top goal scorer since arriving in the Summer. Can he get number 15 today?
- Halesowen’s might have someone to worry about for Stratford themselves though. Miracle Okafor has managed an incredible 18 goals for the club this season, he is going for number 20 against The Bards.
- Stratford might have a new signing in the squad though, with Tom Hewlett looking to make his first appearance since joining the club today.
- Another new signing that could make his first appearance today is Rhys Hilton, the attacker recently joined Halesowen Town with Paul Smith saying he is “top drawer.”
Predicted Starting 11
Stratford Town:
GK: Callum Smith
DEF: Dan Vann
DEF: Alex Worley
DEF: Chris Hussey
DEF: Paul McCone
MID: Tom Solanke
MID: Jack Storer
MID: Joshua Hawker
ATT: Callum Ebanks
ATT: Lewis Ludford-Ison
ATT: Charlie Williams
Halesowen Town:
GK: Dan Platt
DEF: Josh Ezewele
DEF: Reece Mitchell
DEF: Todd Parker
DEF: Ryan Wynter
MID: Tom Taylor
MID: Jack Holmes
MID: Nathan Hayward
ATT: Kieren Donnelly
ATT: Richard Gregory
ATT: Mckauley Manning
Overall
This match is so crucial in the playoff race that I won’t be surprised if both sides take a while to get into the game. But you just can’t bet against Stratford when they are at home right now. The Bards are unbeaten in their last five home games while they’ve won four of those games. They have usually been slow starters in those games though, so it is likely that if Halesowen go ahead in the match, that a good defence would get them three points.
Score Prediction: 2-1 Stratford
