BROMSGROVE Rovers AFC’s title credentials are set to be tested when they face league leaders Silhill in a crunch showdown, writes Neil Gordon.
The two sides meet at Sharmans Cross Road on Saturday, March 8 in a game which could decide the destiny of the Birmingham and District League Division Two title.
Silhill are currently top of the table on 31 points while second-placed Bromsgrove are just behind on 28 points. Both teams have played 13 games each.
The Greens will be looking to repeat their 5-2 victory over Silhill at Charford Road last October when Rovers AFC manager Spencer Machin praised his players for their game-management and clinical finishing.
Machin is hoping for a good training session ahead of their showdown and for a full squad of players to be available on matchday.
However, the Greens’ boss has played down the game being pivotal in deciding the outcome of this season’s Division Two championship.
Machin said: “The Silhill match won’t be a title decider.”
Bromsgrove and Silhill both go into their crunch fixture waiting to learn what action the league’s management committee could take following the resignation of Yardley Wood.
Wood resigned from Division Two claiming they had been unable to overturn fines levied against them by the league for breaches of competition rules.
The Birmingham and District Football League will discuss Wood’s resignation at a management committee meeting next Tuesday, March 11.
A spokesperson for the league confirmed they will take guidance from the Standard Code of Rules as laid down by the Football Association.
Sanctions against the now-defunct outfit could include additional fines and a possible points deduction for each remaining Division Two club, if Wood’s results are expunged for this season.
If clubs are deducted points gained from fixtures against Yardley Wood then Silhill stand to lose six points from two victories.
Bromsgrove could lose the three points gained from their record 10-0 victory over the basement side in January.
Meanwhile, both Bromsgrove and Silhill go into their showdown after returning to winning ways on Saturday.
The Greens beat struggling Polesworth North Warwicks 4-2 and Silhill overcame Hopwood Swifts 5-4.
And Rovers AFC manager Spencer Machin praised his side after their latest victory.
Machin added: “We totally controlled the first-half and could have finished with double figures.”
However, Machin also acknowledged that while Rovers are in pursuit of this season’s Division Two crown, North Solihull can overtake his side if they win their two games in hand.
Machin said: “If anything, when we play Silhill we need to avoid dropping points as there are teams below who can overtake us in the league.”
North Solihull have already enjoyed success against Bromsgrove this season after inflicting a 3-1 opening day victory over the then newly-promoted Rovers.
And they also came back from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw at Charford Road in January.
Solihull will be favourites to collect maximum points when they take on eighth-placed Nechells Athletic at Rupert Street on Saturday, March 8.
Solihull are unbeaten in their last nine league and cup games, while Nechells will be confident after their excellent 5-2 victory over Redditch Borough in their last outing.
Meanwhile, Redditch Borough will need to be at their best when welcoming Boldmere Sports and Social Falcons to Cherry Tree Walk.
Boldmere have won their last three league games, scoring 14 goals in the process.
Borough have played the fewest number of fixtures in Division Two this season with just eight league matches completed.
Elsewhere, fourth play fifth at Field Lane where Hampton Sports entertain Hopwood Swifts in a game which could go either way.
Just a single point separates the two sides with Hampton looking to avenge their 5-3 loss against Hopwood in January.
Sixth-placed inconsistent Walsall Phoenix face eleventh-placed strugglers Polesworth North Warwick at Tamworth Road.
A goal-fest could be on the cards after the sides shared an eight-goal thriller last October.
Polesworth will be looking for a win after their recent 4-2 defeat against Bromsgrove Rovers AFC.
