Match Preview

Welland FC, currently top of the CAFL Division 1 table, welcome Falcons to Spitalfield for Saturday's 2pm kick-off in the first ever meeting between the two sides.

Our opponents have been storming their way through the Cheltenham Association Football League following their inaugural season in 2014/15 starting life out in Division 3. Having finished as Champions and Junior Charities Cup Runners Up, having lost out on the latter to league runners up Leckhampton Rovers in a 1-0 cup final defeat, the club impressively went on to go one better the following season to win the Division 2 title, again staving off the challenge of Leckhampton Rovers.

Having started life out in Cheltenham's Premier Division unbeaten so far, here are the stats you need to know:

• Welland have only ever lost two games at Home in the Cheltenham League, the last being in May 2015 in a 3-1 defeat to Brockworth Albion Reserves
• Welland are unbeaten in the Cheltenham League since their last defeat in October 2015 which was a 2-1 Away defeat to Southside Star Reserves
• Welland have conceded just 7 goals in 6 games in Division 1 so far
• Falcons Reserve side have encountered Welland FC before when two results ended in 3-1 (Away) and closely fought 4-3 defeats for our boys in yellow, the latter being a Home fixture when Greg Hallam and Ryan Godwin were among the scorers

Davies hopes to have Rob Drew back in the squad after a 6 week absence along with Club Captain Richard Woodley, although both are unlikely to start. Richard Howlett is also hoping to return to club duty this weekend but the trio face late fitness tests before their involvement is confirmed.

Paul Mason could miss out with a knee problem whilst Shane Wilband continues with his recovery from ligament damage.

POSSIBLE LINE UPS

Welland XI: Clement, Crews, Deakin, Elmougy, Gullick, Hacking, Harding, Holbrow, Lawrence, Lush, Williams

Falcons XI: Pedlingham, Gamble, Griffin, Woodley, Partridge, Dyer, Davies, Hopson, Linham, Lee, Newport-Black

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Falcons Reserves 3 - 4 Welland FC
Welland FC 3 - 1 Falcons Reserves

WHAT THE OPPOSITION SAY

22/10/16 "Brilliant result as we keep our unbeaten record in the league going, undefeated in 18 league games since our last defeat on 24 October 2015" following the 2-1 Home win over Upton Town

30/10/16 "With the league finally updated to reflect Gala Wilton Res pulling out of the league. We can confirm that the Little Village Team from Welland, are sat TOP of CAFL Div 1"

PAUL MERSON: My Prediction for Welland's Clash with Falcons

Paul Merson reckons Welland will put Falcons to the sword in this weekend's clash.

He told Sky Sports: "If Falcons play like they did in the Away games against Leckhampton Rovers and Cheltenham Civil Service Reserves then you can't see anything but an Welland win. Leckhampton was probably their worst performance of the season under Andy Davies.

"If Welland watched those games they'll be thinking they've just got to turn up and get the three points, but of course it doesn't work like that."

"That being said, though, I'm still going to go for Welland to win this game. If they're at it straight away then I don't see Falcons being able to live with them and confidence will be sky high now they are sat top of the league, especially after the run they have been on. They will take some stopping, and no team has managed to do that in the league for over a year now, let alone in Welland's back yard"

BETTING ODDS (via 888 Sport)

Welland win: 19/20

Draw: 13/5

Falcons win: 7/1