Non-league preview: AFC Bridgnorth look to close the gap

The Meadow Men lost 1-0 as Midland League Division One title-challengers Leicester ended their hot streak with a ‘freakish’ goal according to Bridgnorth manager Jack Griffiths.

His team next face 14th-placed Stapenhill, a side only 14 points ahead after their midweek win against Birstall United.

Griffiths said his side ‘dominated the game’, adding: “I’m not blaming this team.

“It's probable we should have gone for it and chucked another one up front, if I was honest, to try and break them down, but we didn't really want to concede another one to look like we got beat again.

“And by a team that we've dominated from really the 15th, 20th minute of a game where we took control after they scored.

“Really pleased with the squad, really pleased with the players. Everybody dug in.

“Not disrespecting the ‘old’ Bridgnorth, but if it was the old Bridgnorth, I think they would have crumbled and it could have been four or five.

“But these lads are in the game now and we had a lot of praise at the end from Leicester saying you’re a ‘really good team, we took you lightly, surprised you never took anything from the game’.

“It could have been a 0-0, but they nicked it with that freakish goal really.”

Despite efforts from George Lycett off the bench and Leslie Omorodion putting in a shift, they could not find a way through the aggressive Leicester set-up.

“There was no way I was going to go in to the changing room feeling disappointed that we've lost the game after we dominated it really," added Griffiths. “It was never going to go in the goal for us. I think the lads are really upbeat about everything. We know we've got teams now around us again, the ​next few weeks.

“We’ll try pick up a few more points, edge away from the relegation zone, and our next target’s just the teams that are above us really.

“Hopefully another run of five games and we can bring that down and get into the mid-table by the end of the season.”

In North West Counties Division One South, Allscott Heath will be hoping to escape the relegation zone against Barnton - a win could take them to 13th.

Market Drayton Town are eyeing up the play-off places ahead of their fixture against third-placed Alsager Town.

They have two games in-hand, which could take them to within a point of fifth, but Drayton manager Dan Dawson is not too sure what to expect of Alsager’s new management team.

“With the new manager you get that new manager boost for the first couple of games while players are trying to impress," he said. “We also then have to prepare for a different type of system, different personnel he’s signed and another six or seven players from the manager’ s previous clubs and his contacts.”

Rock-bottom Shawbury United are hosting Stafford Town, who top both the league table and the league scoring charts.

Having won five on the bounce, Ludlow Town are at home in the Hellenic League Division One. They face fourth-placed Wantage Town, with a win potentially leapfrogging Ludlow into fourth.

Shifnal Town and Whitchurch Alport both have a weekend off in the Midland League Premier Division.