We get the chance to go another step closer to the play-offs this Saturday when we travel to Lutterworth Town for a game that neither team can afford to lose. For the Stutes, the draw at home against Daventry Town means that our grip on a top five place is not as secure as we would like it to be with just five games remaining. But for Lutterworth Town the game on Saturday is now a ‘must win’ fixture for them after four defeats in their last five games has left their slim play-off hopes dangling by a thread.
Lutterworth have been hovering just below the top teams in the league table all season, waiting for any slip-ups by the teams above them and hoping to put on a sprint finish in the closing stages of the league season. However, defeats against Eynesbury Rovers and Bugbrooke St Michael’s earlier this month were a major setback for them and last weekend’s defeat at home against Coventry United has left them nine points behind us in seventh place. They may feel they need a minor miracle if they are to haul themselves up into the playoff places but may also feel they can now play with the freedom of knowing that the pressure is off them. We will find out this weekend.
We can be forgiven for having one eye on events at Aylestone Park this weekend as they now look to be our main rivals in the race for the play-offs. The Leicester-based side face Newport Pagnell Town at home knowing that a win will put them above us in the table if we fail to take all three points on Saturday.
We have only managed to beat Lutterworth Town in two of our previous seven meetings with them. We lost the reverse fixture at home earlier this season in Mark and Matt’s first game as co-managers and we lost 3-0 in this fixture last season. We are therefore overdue a win against the Swifts.
For those following the Stutes on the road this weekend, the journey to Lutterworth should take about 1 hour and 15 mins and is almost entirely on dual carriageway roads via the A14 and M1. There is very little car parking at the ground but plenty of street parking in the local area. Amenities at the ground are basic, but the town of Lutterworth has plenty of inexpensive cafes and pubs for those wanting pre-match refreshments. Admission to the ground is just £5 or £2 for concessions, and you can take as many under 16s as you wish as they are admitted free of charge. The post code for your satnav is LE17 4NP.
Whatever the result on Saturday, the boys will need your support the following weekend when our old favourites Godmanchester Rovers are our visitors to Bridge Road for a game that kicks off at 3pm. So, be sure you are part of the action and get behind your village team.
