Gameweek four preview: Aspire PFC
- Charlie Mclellan
- 4 hours ago
- 5 min read
Aspire are back in Slater & Gordon Premiership action this weekend (28/29th March) for the penultimate gameweek of the season.
Aspire sit just one point behind the league leaders, and are firmly in the title hunt, however will need a perfect weekend to keep up with the pace.
Aspire Vs GBG Knights
Saturday - 11:50 - Court B
Opposition Overview
GBG Knights are still adjusting to Premiership life after promotion last campaign, and have the key goal of survival in mind. They currently occupy the play-off spot, but are not yet safe from falling into automatic relegation. The Knights will have to fight for every point between now and the end of the season, and so will be motivated ahead of this weekend.
Unlike most of the sides towards the bottom of the Premiership, GBG Knights play an expansive, passing style of football which has made them a refreshing addition to the top flight. They meet Sevenoaks this weekend, which will be a defining fixture in the battle for survival.
This fixture serves as a pre-cursor to the John Good Group WFA Cup quarter-final between Aspire and GBG Knights at Derby Arena on Saturday 9th May. The Knights booked their spot at Derby through a penalty shoot-out victory over Muscle Warriors.
Recent History
Aspire played GBG Knights at the last Premiership weekend, and put on a dominant display. Braces from John Dickson and Dan Mclellan, as well as goals from Jordan Williams and Rich George saw Aspire 6-0 winners in that one. Aspire will be hoping to replicate that free-flowing attacking display.
Player To Watch
Oscar Smedley is one of the hottest young prospects in the National League at the moment. After notching an incredible 35 goal contributions in his first season of league football last campaign, he has moved into a more defensive role following GBG Knights' promotion to the top division.
With clean ball striking skills, and an eye for creating and scoring goals, Smedley will likely move back into a more attacking role in the future.
Aspire Vs West Bromwich Albion
Saturday - 15:20 - Court A
Opposition Overview
West Bromwich Albion need no introduction. Although it has not been the season that WBA will have aimed for this campaign, this game will undoubtedly carry the same intense feel of the clashes of years gone by.
Albion currently sit fifth in the league on goal difference, level on points with Newcastle and Villa Rockets. They will be looking to solidify that placement in the league, as well as go far in the John Good Group WFA Cup - they beat their second team Throstles 4-0 on Thursday evening to progress to the quarter-finals.
West Brom still face three of the top four, including facing Leeds twice, and therefore can have a big say on how the title race develops.
Recent History
The earlier league meeting between these two sides ended 0-0, with West Brom playing an incredibly defensive style. With coaches Colin and Chris Gordon, the former a vocal pioneer for expansive, free-flowing football, you'd expect a more open and attacking approach from Albion in this one.
There have been two West Midlands Regional League matches between these sides this season, with Aspire winning both, 3-0 and 1-0 respectively. Despite West Brom's transitional status in the league this season, they possess quality within the squad, particularly since the mid-season signing of Zach Dickey, and will provide an incredibly stern test for Aspire.
Player To Watch
The international arrival of Zach Dickey is a fascinating storyline, and drew lots of attention at the last Premiership weekend, however it is impossible to look past Chris Gordon as the player to watch for WBA.
Gordon is the world's best and most versatile goalkeeper, he redefined what it meant to wear the goalkeeper shirt in the sport. With an incredible powerchair football mind, and the technical quality to execute almost anything, Gordon remains one of the toughest competitors in the Premiership.
Much like Jon Bolding at Aspire, Chris is Mr. West Brom and will be central to their rebuild using the young talent from across their four squads.
Aspire Vs Muscle Warriors
Sunday - 10:25 - Court B
Opposition Overview
Aspire take on their club-mates Muscle Warriors on Sunday morning. Both sides have a lot to play for, Aspire in the title race, and Warriors fighting for survival at the bottom of the table. It has been a difficult campaign for Muscles following on from last season's promotion from the Championship.
Although there have been some encouraging signs, the squad have not been able to get results over the line and have just one point going into the fourth gameweek.
Recent History
Aspire took on Muscles in the first game of the season, and beat them 4-0 with two goals from Dan Mclellan, one from John Dickson, and Rich George scoring his first league goal with Aspire.
Player To Watch
Rikin Shah is an experienced operator in domestic English powerchair football. He spent years with the Aspire first team, playing in every position on the court. Shah's versatility and experience has seen him adjust well to life back in the Premiership.
Going forward, Shah will want to nail down a position in the team and look to build chemistry with his teammates, particularly defensively.
Aspire Vs West Bromwich Albion Throstles
Sunday - 12:45 - Court A
Opposition Overview
It has been an excellent season for WBA Throstles, a much-needed improvement from last season's disappointing tenth place finish which left them with significant relegation concerns. There are no such concerns this campaign, as Throstles have amassed 19 points, just three less than the WBA first team.
Throstles have developed a strong defensive core, and built significant chemistry. Wingers Donogher and Bolt have a great understanding, and have linked up for lots of important goals this campaign.
The standout result for Throstles this season was their 1-0 win over second-placed Greenbank, an upset which had key implications in the title race. Aspire will need to be on their game to avoid a similar fate.
Recent History
The last league meeting between these two sides was back in gameweek one, and it was a dominant performance from Aspire. The first half was a display of real attacking strength, with Aspire scoring four goals and showing devastating form. The power from the Aspire attackers was enough to even puncture a ball during the game!
Player To Watch
Abi Bolt is in some of the best form of her career at the moment. She was the 'unsung hero' at the last Premiership weekend, also being included in the Swizzels Team of the Weekend.
Bolt both captains and coaches Throstles, and has exemplified their spirit and resilience across the season. With six goals and four assists to her name, Bolt is statistically Throstles' strongest player this season too.
If WBA Throstles were to upset the odds against Aspire this weekend, it would almost certainly be testament to her leadership and gameplan. Either way, Bolt must be delighted with Throstles' season so far.
The Current Standings
From The Aspire Camp
Captain Jon Bolding said: "We are looking forward to the national weekend coming up. We are coming off the back of a good cup victory against Villa and are in a good frame of mind.
"We cannot afford to make mistakes like we made during the last nationals and so hopefully this weekend you will see a more ruthless and controlled Aspire team. We cannot wait - Come on Aspire!"
Follow Our Games
This game will be streamed live on YouTube by the WFA. Each game is individually scheduled, these links will be shared on our social media during the weekend.
You can find the link to the channel here: The WFA - YouTube
Updates will be posted to Aspire social media throughout the weekend, with a full write up of the matches to follow.
There will also be an episode of club podcast 'The Aspire Review' to discuss all of the weekend's action following its conclusion.
As with all Premiership weekends, this event will be taking place at the Lee Westwood Sports Centre, Nottingham Trent University. Spectators are welcome.
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