Match Preview

City gear up for what looks set to be their biggest game of the season so far this Saturday afternoon, with an all-Worcestershire FA Vase fixture capturing the imagination of the county, with the prize of a Quarter Final at stake and a potential Wembley date on the horizon. This fixture is now SOLD OUT.

City's form has been electric of late. Chris Cornes' side have won their last nine games in a row in all competitions, scoring 33 goals in that time and conceding just seven. That also includes three clean sheets in the last three matches, and five overall during that run. The team's formidable attack has been matches by an even stronger back line throughout the season, but that has been really emphasised over the last six weeks.

During that winning run, one of the most impressive displays was in the last round of the FA Vase versus Lichfield City. In what looked like a tricky tie pre-match, Worcester were dominant throughout, limiting the visitors to almost no chances on goal and showing themselves a class above on the day. The goals came late on through Dylan Hart and Kyle Belmonte, but in reality the result was never really in doubt.

Our hosts on Saturday, Stourport Swifts, are having a fantastic season of their own. They currently sit in fifth place in the Midland Football League Premier Division, occupying the last playoff place, and have won four out of their last five in league or Vase matches, drawing once. They were in action on Saturday afternoon when they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Romulus.

Swifts are currently ten points behind Lichfield City in the league having played a game less, as a barometer of where they are at currently. Not like that matters though when it comes to a local derby.

They overcame Ashby Ivanhoe 3-1 in the last round, after having made it past Eastwood Community, AFC Wulfrunians, and City's opponents from this season's FA Cup, Sherwood Colliery, to make it to the Last 16.

Former City man Ben Tilbury is Swifts leading scorer so far this season, currently on ten goals for the campaign for Quentin Townsend's side.

The sides met three times last season, twice in the league and once in the cup, with Stourport coming out on top in all three matches with a 3-0 home league win, and also beating City twice at Claines Lane, 1-0 in the league, and another 3-0 victory in the cup.

City have this week bolstered their squad with the addition of defender Chris Knight, the former Stourbridge man signing from AFC Wulfrunians. Chris will be a welcome addition to Chris Cornes' squad with a number of big matches coming up, and will no doubt receive a warm welcome from City's near-1,500 travelling Faithful on Saturday afternoon.

Calvin Dinsley still appears to be one of two major absentees for City. Since going down in the 5-2 away cup victory over Pershore Town he hasn't been seen in a City squad for the last three matches, and you'd likely expect him to remain absent for this one. Dylan Hart has been the other absentee of note after having appendix surgery and is expected to be out for a little longer yet.

Cornes' men managed to come through a set of extremely tough fixtures in recent weeks unscathed, and will be looking to add to their nine wins in a row in this one.

This fixture is now SOLD OUT. Turnstiles will open at Stourport's Walshes Meadow at 12pm on Saturday afternoon, and Swifts are advising that with 2,000 fans expected in attendance, that both home and away supporters arrive from 12 to ensure a staggered entry for supporters, so that everyone is in for kick-off. There are three outside bars and various food outlets available. Turnstile 1 is for those with surnames A-H, and Turnstile 2 for H-Z. There are a number of car parks available and again, Swifts advise supporters to arrive early should you need a parking space.