Oswestry Football Predictions Week 3

Nearly a clean sweep last week, seven out of nine.
A vast improvement from the week before, but to be fair it couldn't have got any worse really.
However this week I can see it being more like the first week, a tough round of fixtures to call.
A few surprises in there this week as I mix them up. So how will I get on?
I have only picked six games, so check out my predictions below and see what you think.

Bala Town vs The New Saints
First against second in the Welsh Prem on Friday night and you would expect the full timers and champions to come out on top.
However I think this one could go to the wire.
Bala have had a great start after a pretty poor campaign last time out, and with players in their ranks such as David Artell and Mark Jones, they could push Craig Harrison's Saints all the way.
DRAW

Haughmond vs Ellesmere Rangers
Another crunch match in the West Midland Premier.
Ellesmere are re-vitalised under Dan Stevens and currently sit fifth, with Haughmond sixth.
The Shrewsbury side have been on a rapid rise in recent years and have excelled.
Haughmond do have quality in there ranks in terms of Steve and Carl Rogers, and I think it could be there day.
HOME WIN

St Martin's vs Wren's Nest
It hasn't been the best of starts for Ryan Butcher's side with just four points from four and the side sitting in 12th position.
Last week they narrowly went down in Hereford and with this week's opponents flying high in third, it could be more of the same.
AWAY WIN

Morda United vs Welshpool Town Reserves
It was Colin Turner's sides first defeat back in Wales last week against local rivals Trefonen.
Morda battled hard and took the game to extra time, but it is back to the league this week and Welshpool.
They sit above Morda with an extra point so it is hard to call this one at such an early stage.
Got to go with Morda though haven't I.
HOME WIN

Madeley Sports vs FC Oswestry Town
Four impressive points from two tough games see's Oswestry currently in 11th with Saturday's opponents two places behind.
Madeley stormed from Division One two years ago, but have struggled this campaign to get points on the board.
Another tough clash for Oswestry, but I have gone against them before and they have won, so I will give them a little more credit this week.
AWAY WIN

Gobowen Celtic vs Whitchurch Alport Reserves
Like I predicted it was a goal fest for Gobowen last week, and I think they might bag a few more this week looking at the table.
The management team from last seasons Cross Foxes side have done well to put such an impressive outfit together, and that shows in their league position of fourth.
With their opponents in 12th, I back Gobowen.
HOME WIN

Oswestry Football Predictions Week 2

After last week's disaster with just three right, and an earful in The Bell on Saturday night I could have quit.
But I haven't, because I think this week the fixtures look easy, and I am going for a clean sweep of results.
Saying that it will probably go against me now but I will have a go.
TNS have an easy game really, as do the likes of Gobowen Celtic. 9 results this week, I will tip myself for eight.

The New Saints vs Port Talbot Town
Despite Port Talbot looking good in pre-season and having a good start to the season, they rarely take anything from The Venue.
Saints are top and in form once again so only going one way.
PREDICTION - HOME WIN

Ellesmere Rangers vs Wellington
Dan Stevens side are sitting pretty in third and have won the last four.
Wellington are currently 11th having just won two of the first five, and I can only see this going one way.
PREDICTION - HOME WIN

Hereford Lads Club vs St Martins
To the West Mids One now and St Martins will be looking to kick start their season after an average start.
However Hereford are sitting 7th with two wins and a draw from the opening four, and I think the result could go their way this weekend.
PREDICTION - HOME WIN

Four Crosses vs Machynlleth
The Foxen Manor side picked up a valuable point last week at Bow Street and now sit 7th in the pile, with their opponents Mach down in 10th.
Crosses have had a good start and will be boosted by the signing of striker Chris Bishop. I am backing Nick Popyk's boys this weekend.
PREDICTION - HOME WIN

Caersws vs Guilsfield
The most interesting clash on the prediction list this weekend and a close one to call.
Guilsfield picked up a great result last week against Denbigh, with Caersws losing to Llandudno.
Despite this the Bluebirds have had a superb start under Graham Evans, and it will be a tough afternoon for the Guils
PREDICTION - DRAW

Morda vs Trefonen
First cup game back in Wales for Morda and they will be looking to take the local bragging rights.
The Yellows picked up a great win back in Wales last week as Ollie Jackson led the way with all four.
Only one way I see this cup clash going.
PREDICTION - HOME WIN

Church Stretton vs FC Oswestry Town
My prediction was wildly wrong last week for the town as they beat Ketley 4-1.
They sit 10th with Stretton 12th but it seems as if they have had a poor start.
I think their position is deceiving as their squad looks strong.
But I can see the town getting a result in South Shropshire this weekend.
PREDICTION - DRAW

Gobowen Celtic vs Denso
Anyone who has heard of Denso will know I don't need to say much.
Goal scoring avalanche.
PREDICTION - MASSIVE HOME WIN

Riverside vs St Martins Village
All the new sides seem to be mixing things about in the bottom league.
But Riverside have had a top start with the new St Martins side struggling.
PREDICTION - HOME WIN

Jackson delighted with dream Morda start

Jackson also grabbed four in his previous Morda outing

IN THEIR historic return to the Welsh system, Morda United could not have hoped for a better start.
An away day to Llansanffraid Reserves was a great fixture to begin to new era with. And after five minutes Morda were in dream land thanks to a five minute hat-trick from Ollie Jackson.
Ffraid pegged them back to 3-2 at the break, however Jackson added another to complete an historic return to the Welsh system.
And speaking on Monday morning, Jackson described it as a dream start.
He said: "It was an amazing to get four goals on another Morda debut.
"There was so much energy in the changing rooms before and every was buzzing for it.
"And you could see that as soon as we got on the pitch.
"We won everything in the first half hour and luckily for me everything I hit went in.
"If only we had the fitness to carry it through the game, however that is what we need to work on and if we do we will have a really strong team."
Jackson has played for both Morda first team and reserves in the past, but he admitted going into this season he didn't see himself playing for anyone.
He said: "I didn't expect to be playing for anyone this season at all.
"However when I had the text off Matty Owen about the club potentially folding and that he wanted me back at Morda with a host of other people, I couldn't resist."
All the players on show had played for Morda in the past and Jackson has given credit to Matty and Morda stalwart Colin Turner for getting the side up and running once more.
He said: "The team is made up of all players who have played together somewhere along the line.
"And all credit to Matty and Col for getting the lads there.
"Everyone is there for the same reason, to turn up on a Saturday, have a game of football with their mates and enjoy it, win, lose or draw.
"At this level I think that is what local football is really about.
"There is a lot of quality throughout the team and it bodes well for a really good season."
The Morda fixture was one of only three I got right in my weekend predictions, so I need to get improving on them!
In other results locally, The New Saints demolished GAP Connah's Quay 5-1 thanks to a double from Greg Draper.
Llansanffraid Village came away 2-1 winners against Berriew in the Spar Mid Wales League with Four Crosses sharing the spoils with Bow Street.
Guilsfield picked up an impressive 1-0 home win over Denbigh Town with Gareth Jones' volley settling the matter.
Oswestry Town beat Ketley Bank Utd 4-1 away (had a shocker there).
St Martin's Village lost 6-4 in a thriller against Stoke Heath Prison and Gobowen Celtic thrashed Shifnal Harriers 8-2.
I will be back next week with some more fixtures, hopefully more right that wrong next time.

Weekly Feature - Oswestry Football Predictions

It seems as I am writing a lot of posts about Oswestry Football at the moment and putting my views across.
As everyone knows I have strong views, positive and negative about what goes on in the local football scene.
So I thought on a weekly basis I would begin to give my spin on the results, a prediction post, and a review post.
So here is the first prediction post with a host of Oswestry teams in action this weekend!

GAP Connah's Quay vs The New Saints

GAP have been lacklustre after signing a host of new players, as they do.
The Saints have had their usual good start, but they are yet to fire into top gear yet.
Only one winner.
Prediction: 1-4

Ellesmere Rangers vs Stone Old Alleynians

Under Dan Stevens and with a host of young talent, the meresiders are buoyed and currently sit 3rd in the West Midland Regional League table.
They have had a great start with some thumping wins, as they have the likes of ex Shrewsbury men Carpenter and Ryan.
Also ex Shrews and Everton man Mason Springthorpe has made the step down after his release and he could be key to them this season.
Prediction: 3-1

St Martins P-P Worcester Raiders

Berriew vs Llansanffraid

Average start by Ray Jones side, with a difficult start against Welshpool.
They face a Berriew side that have also struggled for their standards after a good season last time.
Ffraid will be looking for a kick start but I can see a stalemate in this one.
Prediction: 2-2

Bow Street vs Four Crosses

In my memory Crosses always seem to be quick starters.
Fifth in the table at the moment has seen them off to a flyer, and I think they will be on top again this weekend.
Looked good in pre-season with the likes of Richards and Gerrard, and they will be key this weekend.
Prediction: 1-3

Guilsfield vs Denbigh Town

The Guils have impressed me in pre-season and their Alliance start.
Added to the squad well under Mike Parry with Richards, Davies and Jones coming in.
However Terry Ingram and Dave Taylor have gone into Denbigh with what I am guessing is a big budget.
Tough one to call, but an away win I think. Sorry lads.
 Prediction: Guilsfield 1-2 Denbigh Town

Llansanffriad Village Reserves vs Morda United

Historic day. Morda first team are back in the Welsh system, and I think they will enjoy opening day success.
Col Turner has got them well drilled now, and with good quality running through the team.
Ffraid struggled last time, and I think it will be a yellow win this weekend.
Prediction: Llansanffraid Village Reserves 1-2 Morda

Ketley Bank Utd vs FC Oswestry Town

Town seem to be struggling in the top division so far but I am sure they will be fine with the talent on show they have.
However I made my Morda debut at Ketley, and it is a tough place to go. Not because they are good, but because the pitch in the middle of a housing estate is small, terrible, and they are an tough bunch.
Another tough day for the town.
Prediction: Ketley 3-1 Town

St Martins Village vs Stoke Heath Prison

Gobowen struggled their last week, and to be honest I haven't seen a lot of either side.
However St Martins have looked good so far in terms of results.
Prediction: St Martins Village 1-1 Stoke Heath Prison

Gobowen Celtic vs Shifnal Harriers

Don't know anything about Shifnal apart from they are in the top three.
But to me Celtic have one of the best squads in that division, and they could have a good chance of winning it.
Had a tough start but I think they will continue to grow.
Prediction: Celtic 1-0 Harriers

Oswestry football would have lost it's identity without Morda United

IN recent weeks the Oswestry football scene has been rife with rumours that Morda United were no more.
The small club on the border of Oswestry that is known far and wide was on the brink, and at times I think that was the case.
As most people know I am heavily connected to the yellows with my dad being a former player, secretary, interim manager, groundsman, net putter upper, to name a few, and personally I have played for the first and reserve team (not very well, but they all count).
And some people might see this post as being a little biased towards the club, but I think if Morda did go under, and didn't come back, Oswestry would lose some of it's identity in football circuits.

Morda were once a giant in football in these parts, and judging by the reaction to the back page of the Advertiser a few weeks ago, they still are a giant.
They won numerous trophies in the 70's and 80's which people like myself and Matt Turner have heard about countless times from our fathers. But there is no doubt Morda were a power house around here.
Both in the Welsh system and the English system they were so well known and are still so well known.
You go right down to Aberystwyth and then across through the Midlands, and teams remember the name Morda United.
At once stage at the start of the 90's Morda were in the top Welsh League with the likes of Newtown and Llansanffraid (Now TNS), and they even won that league in 1991.
They moved to England, were successful, then dropped back into the County League due to financial issues.
And after a recent purple patch in the new 'Mercian League' the club have made a sad, but very very wise choice to move back to Wales.
The powers that be and the politics that come with football seem to be trying to stop that, but for the sake of the historic club and for Oswestry football, I hope the move comes off.

Like I have said in the past there is a lot of clubs in Oswestry, maybe too many. Other clubs further out such as St Martins and Ellesmere have great histories.
But clubs that have been in recent years, FC Oswestry Town and Oswestry Villa, Lynclys, aren't as well known for their history as Morda.
(FC Oswestry Town are different, could be argued they have the history, but also argued that the history lies with TNS).
Currently when people look at Oswestry football, they look at TNS. A huge name as they are a pro club, but that is in Wales.
I think in terms of Amateur clubs Morda lead the way though, and people look to Morda when they think of football in the area.

Some people will look at a Welsh move as a step backwards. In terms of playing, maybe it is, but after the turbulent summer that Morda have had, it is the way forward.
People will look at the move in a negative light because of the success Morda have had, but remember, Morda is a small village that in terms of football have been punching above their weight for years.

At the moment, with a Welsh move hopefully imminent, there is renewed optimism.
An old head back in charge in the form of Colin Turner, a bunch of young and hungry lads looking for success.
That can only be good for the village and for the Oswestry football scene.
Morda will survive, and I am certain they will be the driving force in the area again, in terms of name, and in terms of playing.