Match Preview: Smethwick Rangers (H) - Floodlit Cup Semi Final, Tues 21st Jan, 19:45
Match preview by Matt Jones
Date: Tuesday 21st January
Time: 7:45pm
Opponent: Smethwick Rangers FC
Competition: Birmingham Midweek Floodlit Cup Semi-Final
Venue: The Oval, Coventry Road, Bedworth, CV12 8NN
Admission Prices: £5 Adults, £3 Concessions and 16-18, £1 Children 5-15, Under 5s Holders Free
Focus turns away from the league title race for an evening this Tuesday as Nuneaton Town host Smethwick Rangers in the Birmingham FA Midweek Floodlit Cup Semi-Final.
The final has been traditionally played at The Bescot Stadium, home of Walsall FC. And although not yet confirmed, it is likely to be the case again, so it is a wonderful opportunity to play at a Football League ground for the fledgling Town side in just their first season.
Nuneaton reached the semi finals by beating Coventry Copsewood 3-2, then Paget Rangers 5-1, whilst Smethwick Rangers got here by beating Southam United 2-1 and Nuneaton Griff 1-0.
Smethwick were one of the form teams earlier in the season, and fans will remember when we visited Boldmere (where they groundshare) earlier in the season, and Smethwick got a very late equaliser to deny us the three points. Since then however they've recently dropped down the table, and went through a run of no wins in 6 games with just one goal scored, before beating Paget Rangers 3-0 on Saturday.
Nuneaton on the other hand are flying and on a run of 6 straight wins, and in normal time are unbeaten in 11 since losing to Ingles in November. The most recent of which was a thrilling 5-2 win over title rivals Kirby Muxloe.
It is Smethwick's first visit to The Oval, and they visit again on the final day of the season in April, which could decide the title.
Nuneaton are expected to field a strong side for the game, and new striker Matt Gardner could make an appearance, although he could face a challenge with the form of the front three in recent weeks.
