Non-league previews: Mood lifting at AFC Bridgnorth
After a tough start to the Midland League Division One season, the mood at AFC Bridgnorth has started to lift as the side go into the new year six points clear of the relegation zone, writes Dan Hickey.
Despite a weakened squad, younger players in the side stepped up and almost held on for a 1-0 win against Lutterworth Athletic. Unfortunately, a last-minute equaliser meant the Meadow Men missed out on all three points.
Bridgnorth were five points from safety in late October and without a single league win, but following a 0-0 draw with Allexton & New Parks at the end of November manager Jack Griffiths was ruing two points lost, not a point gained.
He said: “We hit the bar twice there and it's just one of them games. I think if we still played it now, we still wouldn’t have beat them, Allexton. It was just a bad day at the office.
“Not a bad day because we took a point, but we just said, ‘Look, it's a point gained really, but we're disappointed we didn't take that all three'.
“It’s looking interesting at the bottom. Chelmsley Town, they’re picking up points now because of a change of management. Wednesfield, they’ll start picking up points now they’re playing teams that are in and around them.
“So yeah, it's going to be an interesting end to the season, but hopefully we've done enough to put ourselves away.”
Despite absences, injuries and suspensions weakening the squad through December, they managed 10 points from 18 available, including a huge upset against title-challenging Heather St John’s.
“We knew we had (Taylor) Brett away, who was our main centre-half. He's on holiday. Josh Smith, the vice-captain, he's suspended. We knew it was going to be difficult, especially going down there with a few under-18 players, but they've picked up some good results lately.
“They lost 1-0 to Nuneaton Town who’ll probably go and win the league, so we knew we was up against it, but I just - what they did - I thought it was incredible. Especially the second half.
“They didn't want to come and attack us in the first half, so we defended, it was difficult to break them down and we took everything we got against Heather St. John’s, which was incredible.”
Bridgnorth next face Ingles, who Griffiths compared to Heather St John’s. He described them as a ‘big set of lads’ who ‘get the ball up quick to their forwards'.
Whitchurch Alport are in Derbyshire for the FA Vase fourth round. They face Clay Cross Town, with the winner securing a spot in the round of 16.
Market Drayton Town are away at Foley Meir in North West Counties Division One South, who they have already netted nine goals past this season, while last-placed Shawbury United are away at title challengers Winsford United.
Ludlow Town are at home to Slimbridge in the Hellenic League Challenge Cup third round.
