By Liam Price
It’s the first ‘new’ opponent in the league this season for the Dabbers on Tuesday night (7.45pm kick off) as we travel to the Midlands to face Sporting Khalsa.
Khal Me Maybe
Sporting Khalsa were one of two teams who were shifted sideways to the PitchingIn NPL West from the NPL Midlands as part of the annual reorganising of the divisions, finishing a strong 6th in that league last season and just 5 points off the play-offs.
They wasted no time in adjusting to their new surroundings by securing an eye-catching 3-1 win over last season’s beaten play off finalists Congleton Town on opening day. They were then beaten 2-0 away at Newcastle Town but bounced back with a huge 5-1 win over Sporting Club Inkberrow in the FA Cup at the weekend.
Last Time We Met
There’s plenty attached to the last and what was the first ever meeting between the two sides in the FA Trophy last season. The first attempt was postponed due to thunderstorms in the area. Later that day it was announced that Paul Carden was leaving to head back to Warrington Town, with Jon Moran to initially stand in as manager. His first game was the rearranged tie 3 days later, which Sporting Khalsa won in a 4-3 thriller. Highlights below.
Players to Watch
Taylor Townsend bagged a hat trick in that FA Cup win at the weekend so his confidence will be sky high. Their other goalscorers this season have been Kieran Whittaker, Kartell Dawkins, Gurjit Singh, Kristian Green and Chey Tilt.
He hasn’t scored yet, but Andre Landell scored 19 for them in all competitions last season including in that FA Trophy tie. Their overall top scorer from last season, Simeon Cobourne, has since left to go to Quorn.
Match Information
Tickets for this are available online HERE or on the gate, at £9 for adults, £6 for concessions and £4 for under 18s.
It’s a straightforward run down the A500 and M6 to get to the Guardian Warehousing Arena (WV13 3BB), around an hour with fair traffic.