Sam’s Section: Forest Green’s live summit battle, Slimbridge hunt four straight wins and Dursley bid to end Tewkesbury’s unbeatable record
You know what time of the week it is! Another week, another section in which I’ll be looking ahead yet again to some standout fixtures in and around Gloucestershire.
Looking at some of the fixtures already, we are in for some juicy encounters this weekend spanning from the National League right down to some local derbies in the Hellenic League and Stroud & District Division One.
Forest Green Rovers v York City (National League, The New Lawn, Saturday November 16th, KO 5:30pm, Live on DAZN)
A game that I’m very excited for as a tasty top of the table clash takes place in Nailsworth as second placed Forest Green Rovers welcome the National League leaders, York City to The New Lawn.
Just a single point separates the two high flying sides after 17 games and what makes this tie even tastier is the form both sides are on in the league.
Rovers are enjoying a six-game unbeaten run in the league, but their counterparts are in hot form yet to taste defeat in their last 12 league games.
Both sides come into this off the back of resounding victories last weekend as Rovers defeated Maidenhead United 4-1 thanks to a cold finish from Harvey Bunker, an inform Charlie McCann, captain Jordan Moore-Taylor and a cheeky lobbed effort from Teddy Jenks.
York played a tantalising 5-3 victory over Hartlepool United in the early kick off last Saturday staving off a late fight back from their visitors following on from a dramatic 2-1 win over FC Halifax Town the league game prior scoring twice deep in second half stoppage time.
Brimscombe & Thrupp v Slimbridge (Hellenic League Premier, The Meadow, Saturday November 16th, KO 3pm)
Can’t make it to The New Lawn or want your fix of lower tier action then look no further than the Hellenic Premier where a local rivalry hit The Meadow as Brimscombe & Thrupp host Slimbridge.
Both sides were in action during the week with Slimbridge running out comfortable 4-0 winners over Lydney Town on Tuesday night to progress in the GFA Challenge Trophy whilst Thrupp hosted Royal Wootton Bassett in the league but fell to 4-2 defeat.
The Swans are on an improved run of three straight wins in all competitions which sees them sit 10th in the Hellenic Premier but are just three points off the play-off spots in what is becoming a tightly contested division.
Thrupp have won just one of their last eight games in all competitions and loom two points over the drop zone so will may just be keeping a close eye on Lydney’s battle with Mangotsfield United and Malmesbury Victorias’ clash with SC Inkberrow on Saturday.
Dursley Town v Tewkesbury Town (Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Div One, The Rec, Saturday November 16th, KO 2pm)
One of just three games in the GNSL Division One this weekend sees a mouthwatering battle at the top of the table as the unbeaten leaders Tewkesbury Town travel to fellow high flyers, Dursley Town.
Tewkesbury still incredibly boast a 100% record in the league after 11 games and will be hoping to make the most of their game in hand to open a three point cushion on Whaddon United who are cup action this weekend against Ruardean.
Dursley return home for the first time in over a month going unbeaten in their last three games and, like Tewkesbury, will be hoping to utilise their game in hand to close the gap on the top two to just two points.
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READ MORE: Check out Saturday’s fixtures in and around Gloucestershire right here
READ MORE: Check out this Sunday’s Women’s fixtures in and around Gloucestershire right here
