Sam’s Section: Lydney begin life under new bosses and Brimscombe bid to upset leaders as Hellenic Premier heats up
This weekend sees a very exciting list of fixtures in the Hellenic League Premier with some huge games at the bottom of the table, a team under new management and the play-off picture starting to take shape.
Where better to start than a struggling Lydney Town who this weekend debut a new management team in former Tredworth Tigers coaches Adam Dix and Lee Smith.
Dix and Smith were appointed as coaches at the start of the week stepping up three divisions from the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League to the Hellenic Premier with the hope of keeping Lydney in the league.
Lydney currently occupy a place in the drop zone, have won just one of their last seven and the new bosses first test is a trip to fellow survival battlers, Cirencester Town but a win could see Lydney level on points with the Centurions.
Cirencester Town v Lydney Town (The Corinium Stadium, Saturday October 26th, KO 3pm)
Next up its top versus bottom as leaders Hartpury University look to extend their unbeaten streak to 11 games and their lead at the top as they face Brimscombe & Thrupp.
Hartpury boast a three point lead over chasers Roman Glass, who face an inform Worcester Raiders side, and might possibly be keeping an eye on that fixture as the University side hunt their sixth straight victory.
Thrupp have picked up in form following back-to-back double figured defeats losing just one of their last three games putting them in a great position to jump out of the drop zone with a win, if results elsewhere go their way.
Brimscombe & Thrupp v Hartpury University (The Meadow, Saturday October 26th, KO 3pm)
Another battle down the bottom sees 17th placed Longlevens host 18th placed Malmesbury Victoria with both sides in danger of dropping in to the bottom two even with a draw.
Levens are winless in their last 12 games with Saturday marking exactly two months since their last victory over Tuffley Rovers whilst Malmesbury are winless in their last seven with their last win coming over Levens in the FA Vase back in August.
Longlevens v Malmesbury Victoria (Saw Mills, Saturday October 26th, KO 3pm)
And in the play-off picture Fairford Town will be hoping to maintain their third place position and keep the pace on the leaders when they face Pershore Town.
Fairford are looking to bounce back after their FA Vase exit last weekend by extending their league unbeaten record to six games, but their visitors have had a turn in fortune losing just one of their five games.
Fairford Town v Pershore Town (SEM Stadium, Saturday October 26th, KO 3pm)
Elsewhere Slimbridge will be looking to keep their play-off push in touching distance but face a tough task away at Highworth Town.
The Swans sit 11th currently, five points off the play-off spots, having lost just one of their seven in the league keeping them right in the tight picture of promotion hunting teams.
The Swans turn in fortunate could be down to recent signing Jack Watts who has scored seven goals in his first six games for the club which could be the difference for Adam Coyle and Tom Deakin’s side this weekend.
Highworth Town v Slimbridge (Save on Tyres Stadium, Saturday October 26th, KO 3pm)
Tuffley Rovers will be looking to get back to winning ways following a run of three defeats and two draws in their last five outings and they host a Corsham Town side equally as desperate for three points.
After winning their first eight league matches, Corsham have lost their last seven league matches in a row and have gone from 1st to 7th and are now 8 points off the pace in the Hellenic Premier table.
It is interesting that six of Tuffley’s eight league defeats this season have come on the road, so Neil Mustoe’s side will be looking to turn the tide this weekend.
Corsham Town v Tuffley Rovers (The Southbank, Saturday October 26th, KO 3pm)
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