Chalford boss Ben Powell insists his side will need to be on their mettle when they make the short trip to rivals Dursley tonight, Wednesday, 6.30pm.
With one eye on promotion to the County League, Chalford who are second in Gloucestershire Northern Senior League, travel in rude health following a resounding 6-0 win at Smiths, which featured a hat-trick for 41-goal striker Jack Hughes.
A brace from Hughes guided Chalford to a 2-0 victory over Dursley last month, but Powell is ready for a tight game: “Dursley is always a hotly contested game when we meet,” Powell admitted.
“It will be two good sides, who look to play in the right way, so I’m sure this will be another good encounter.”
Powell heaped praise on his opposite number Karl Nash: “Nashy has done a superb job at the Rec – building a really strong side with lots of youth amongst it ,which has to be admired.
“We’ll be looking to continue our form, but we’ll need to be 100% to do that.”
Powell is acutely aware third-place Dursley will provide a stern test, but Nash’s side will be weakened without leading scorer Aaron Nash.
“Dursley have many threats and we’ll certainly need to try nullify Aaron Nash if he plays as he has scored a good amount of goals this season, so we’ll have to try and keep him quiet and young Joe Gray in midfield.”
Chalford expect Luke Brunsdon to shake-off a knock, but Rew Roberts misses out.
As the season enters the final straight, promotion-chasing Chalford are a point behind leaders Brockworth Albion, but have three games in hand over the Gloucester side with 10 games to play.
“There will be plenty of twists and turns but we’ll take it one game at a time,” Powell said.
“To be at this stage of the season and competing for honours is what any side wants, so we look forward to two touch tests against Dursley and Brockworth in our next two league games before getting ready for the County Cup Final on April 25th against Bristol Suburban League outfit Avonmouth at GFA HQ, Almondsbury.”
Meanwhile, opposite number Nash is expecting a tough test, but with Dursley’s title hopes over he expects his side to play without fear: “It will be a tough test, they’re a very well organised side, ruthless in attack and defend well in numbers.
“Hot shot Jack Hughes will be hard to keep quiet, but my boys will be up for a challenge.
“There’s no pressure on us now, we are out the title race. I said it at the start of the year it will be between Brockworth and Chalford, and here we are, eight later, talking about it.
“There maybe a stumbling block as Chalford have to play so many games in a short period of time. We had it last year, 14 games in just over a month and it a takes a toll on the players.”
Dursley are set to be without Joe Gray for the rest of the season after picking up an injury in the 1-0 win over Berkeley Town. However, striker Aaron Nash could feature, but player-manager Karl Nash is out with a calf strain.
