Gameweek three preview: Aspire PFC

Aspire return to Slater & Gordon Premiership action this weekend (21/22 February) with four tough games in store.

Aspire currently sit top of the table, and will be hoping to remain there come the end of the weekend.

There have been two months since the last Premiership weekend, and Aspire have been training hard to build on their strong start.

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Aspire Vs Middlesbrough

Saturday - 11:50 - Court A

Opposition Overview

Middlesbrough are a tough opposition, notorious for defensive solidarity and a strong togetherness. Aspire will have to have their wits about them playing against an intelligent group of players.

Middlesbrough had a fantastic end to last season which ultimately kept them in the Premiership. They will be hoping that their survival will be more comfortable on this occasion, as they look to further consolidate in the top flight.

Recent History

These two sides met in gameweek one, where Aspire ran out 4-0 winners following a rampant display. Dan Mclellan was in red-hot form that day, scoring a hat-trick, he will be hoping to replicate that this weekend.

Player To Watch

Umar Hanif is the prominent central player for Middlesbrough. He is a strong dribbler, and very tough opponent to come up against.

Aspire will need to bypass his defensive steel and resilience in order to succeed in this game.

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Aspire Vs Newcastle

Saturday - 15:20 - Court B

Opposition Overview

Newcastle have been a consistent thorn in Aspire’s side in recent years, having a team full of grit, determination and spirit. They had a summer of change before this season, losing two key players in Sam Smith and Ethan Fisher.

That said, they have still provided a plethora of strong performances this campaign, and sat joint top of the league after gameweek one.

Recent History

Aspire met Newcastle in the most recent weekend of the Slater & Gordon Premiership, and it was a tightly contested affair.

The game was decided by a penalty, won and converted by Mclellan. Both teams had chances, with Aspire in particular squandering some golden opportunities.

Player To Watch

Following the departure of key players in the summer, Oli Crawshaw has stepped up into the most prominent role for Newcastle. Fortunately for the Toon, he has taken to this like a duck to water.

Crawshaw is one of the very best dribblers in the league, rarely getting beat when the ball is in contact. He also has a strong passing range, great defensive awareness and the ability to score goals too.

Oli is a Powerchair footballing all-rounder, and one of the best central players in the division as a result.

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Aspire Vs GBG Knights

Sunday - 09:15 - Court B

Opposition Overview

Newly-promoted GBG Knights are settling into life in the Premiership. Last season, they became known for free-flowing football which easily wafted most Championship opponents aside.

This season, they have had to learn a new way of playing. Slowly but surely, GBG have developed a more pragmatic way of playing which has lent itself much better to top flight football.

Notably, at the last National weekend, GBG drew 1-1 with West Bromwich Albion, a great sign of their progression as a team so far this season.

Recent History

This is the first Premiership meeting between Aspire and GBG Knights.

They have played twice in the West Midlands Regional League this season, Aspire coming out winners on both occasions, 3-0 and 2-0 respectively.

Player To Watch

Ben Keyte is one of the best stories of the season. He travels from Australia for every single Nationals weekend, one of the most impressive signs of commitment the sport has ever seen.

Keyte represented Western Sydney Wanderers at the FIPFA Powerchair Club World Cup in 2025, scoring a hat-trick against Mexican side Rayados.

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Aspire Vs Leeds

Sunday - 12:45 - Court B

Opposition Overview

Leeds are a key player in the title race this season following a stunning summer of transfers. After spending much of last campaign at the top of the league, only to slip down during the final weekends, Leeds acquired two current senior England internationals to complete their stellar squad.

They have started this campaign with a fire in their bellies, and are mounting a serious charge for the Premiership title. Playing free-flowing, sometimes mesmerising football, this Leeds squad have all that it takes to challenge at the very top of the game for years to come.

They aim to utilise the trademark England 'four-out' system, however have often reverted back to type when faced with 'tougher' opponents. Physically strong, yet abundantly creative, this is one of the toughest teams to face in the division.

Recent History

Aspire have only faced this new look Leeds side once, however that was in pre-season and both sides have developed a lot since then.

Last season, Aspire met Leeds three times, winning twice and losing once. The most important clash of the season turned out to be the semi-final of the John Good Group WFA Cup, with Aspire winning 2-1 at Derby Arena to secure their place in the final.

Player To Watch

Dylan Kelsall is one of England's most talented players. Predominantly operating wide, he is both clinical and creative. He was recently voted as the standout player for gameweek two of the Slater & Gordon Premiership.

Kelsall was a member of the England squad that travelled to Lignano Sabbiadoro for the EPFA Nations Cup, playing a key role and scoring some vital goals for the Three Lions throughout the tournament.

He has carried on that fine form into this Premiership campaign in which he has captained Leeds, and Aspire will need to keep him quiet if they wish to secure a positive result in this one.

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The Current Standings

Graphic: The WFA

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From The Aspire Camp

Looking ahead to the weekend, captain Jon Bolding said: "The team and I are really looking forward to nationals this weekend. It’s been close to three months since the last one and we are really keen to get back to it.

"We have been playing really well at regionals and so we are hoping to take that momentum into the games this weekend."

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.