Ellesmere Rangers look to be four-midable

Rangers have been unable to play at their Beech Grove headquarters for the last few months owing to building work.

However, playing at Shrewsbury College has seen them reel off three straight wins over Stone Old Alleynians, Tipton Town and Wolverhampton Casuals in recent weeks.

One interested spectator will be Haughmond boss Matt Burton. His second-placed side are not in action until they face Pegasus a week tomorrow.

Shawbury United continue to set a blistering pace at the top as they get ready for tomorrow's lengthy trip to Malvern.

Last Saturday's 5-0 win over Wolverhampton Casuals, Shawbury's 20th win from 30 league games this season, leaves them eight points clear of Haughmond.

But boss Dave Richards is refusing to take anything for granted, saying: "We've just got to keep ticking the games off. We're in a great position, but we've got some key games coming up.

"We've still got to play Haughmond, Ellesmere and go to Bridgnorth while we've also got away games to come against the three Hereford sides.

"We were disappointed not to win at Wolverhampton Sporting Community last midweek and there were a few things said between the lads after that game.

"But then we got the reaction we wanted at Wolverhampton Casuals last weekend when I couldn't have been more pleased with how we played.

"We were playing a good side who have been a bogey team to us at times, but we really dug in in the second-half and got our rewards.

"We played some excellent football and scored some really good goals."

New Wellington Amateurs boss Adrian Stanton is looking at a change of shape as he takes his side for a Shropshire derby at title-chasing AFC Bridgnorth.

Stanton has had a week to make his presence felt after taking over just before last weekend's 3-1 home defeat to Bewdley Town.

He said: "They have gone 4-4-2 before, but we are looking at playing a different system."

Wem Town will be seeking to extend their faultless record since the turn of the year when they play two more games in Division One over the next week.

Wem, currently fifth in the table and moving in the right direction, host second-placed county rivals Shifnal Town in at the Butler Sports Club Ground tomorrow.

They then travel to FC Stafford Town, the side directly below them in the table, for a re-arranged clash on Wednesday night.

Wem will go into their double-header in good spirits after stretching their winning run in all competitions to five games, with four of those victories arriving in a so far unblemished start to the New Year.

Wem were impressive 2-0 winners at table-toppers AFC Ludlow in the Division One League Cup last weekend as goals from Jim Astley and Christian Oldham ensured a happy return journey up the A49.

Shifnal Town are now just three points behind the leaders – and Ludlow boss Dave Cooper is full of praise for the way they have closed the gap.

Cooper said: "Fair play to them, they have been on a great run. You have got to admire them for that."