WORCESTER City entertain Loughborough University in the Midland Football League Premier Division on Saturday, November 10. Here’s everything you need to know.
WHO ARE THEY?
Known as Loughborough College when formed in 1920, the team played in the county league for more than 50 years before dropping out of senior football.
Having returned to the men’s game in 2007 they got promoted to the Midland Alliance (now the MFL Premier) in their second season and have been at this level ever since.
They had a run of top-five finishes but have found themselves in the lower reaches for the past five seasons, ending up 18th last season.
WHAT SHOULD CITY EXPECT?
A young, fluent team that likes to get it on the deck but sometimes lacks oomph against more rigorous opponents.
Sat 16th in the table, the students have not won in three league outings and have the third-worst defensive record in the division.
Joe Boachie is the top scorer with 12 goals in 14 starts this season.
TEAM NEWS
Other than long-term absentee Andy Gallinagh, City expect to name a full squad.
Tyler Weir (pictured) is set to be involved in some capacity despite missing the midweek win at Highgate United through illness.
Jamie Smith and Chris Withington return having missed out in midweek due to work commitments. Goalkeeper Dan Jezeph comes back into contention.
“At the start of the season a lot of the boys speak to their bosses at work expecting games and training to be on Tuesday nights,” explained assistant manager Ashley Vincent.
“Sometimes it is difficult to switch that time off to Mondays or Wednesdays. In part-time football you have to understand that but we're glad to have the boys back."
WHAT THE MANAGEMENT THINK
“I expect Loughborough to have a lot of quality,” said Vincent.
“They train pretty much full time with them being at university. They will get it down, want to pass it and play the game the right way.
“I think it will be two sides that want to get the ball on the surface so it should be a good watch.
“At the same time we want to be careful not to get caught playing pretty football. We have to know how to mix it and see whether they can do that.
“We expect a proper football game.”
WE’VE MET BEFORE
Alexandru Albert and Mark Danks notched as City beat Loughborough University 2-1 in August.
DID YOU KNOW?
Ex-City player Ebby Nelson-Addy featured for Loughborough University following his departure from Aston Villa in 2012.
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