Manager Andy Parkes will be looking to extend the clubs’ unbeaten start to the season, this may be extremely hard given that Wem Town recently beat Team Dudley 4-0 who were leading Division One at the time of the game.

Manager Parkes said in mid-week “This weekend we return to our bread and butter league fixtures after our recent Cup exploits. It looks like I will be able to select from the majority of the squad less the long-term injured players and we are looking forward to facing another hard test. The players have again worked extremely hard in training this week, completing a fitness session and with decent weather forecast for the weekend, we are all hoping for an attractive game of football but will want to ensure we collect three points.”

Parkes added “As most of the squad is available for this weekend selection will be really interesting for the squad and starting line-up. We all hope that your continued unconditional support will once again be at the Paycare Ground tomorrow”.

Our opponents Wem Town were formed, like ourselves in the 19th Century forming in 1883, although I have spent hours researching the Club history there is none available apart from their performances since they joined The West Midlands League in 1989 when they immediately secured promotion into Division One. Wem Town resigned from The West Midlands League in 1995 joining The Shropshire County League.

In 2009/10 Season they returned to the West Midlands (Regional) League and once again in their first season secured promotion into Division One by finishing runners up.

They have remained in the Division until now. Their returning first Season in 2010/11 saw Wem Town finish 4th, winning 16 matches on 49 points having had 3 points deducted. The following Season Wem dropped to twelfth there lowest finish in the WMRL. Seasons 2012/13 and 2013/14 saw Wem fair better finishing 3rd and 4th, losing out on promotion into the Premier Division behind A.F.C. Smethwick and Bilston Town in 2012/13. In seasons 2014/15, 2015/16 and 2016/17 Wem finished mid-table between 7th and 9th position.

Wem Town’s season so far has been mixed, currently lying in ninth position having paid ten games, achieving five wins all at home, four losses and a single drawer with a goal difference of plus 1.

The season started a week late on 12th August when they lost at home 4-0 to Tipton Town and then beat Allscott 3-2 in a Shropshire Derby and lost at home to Bustleholme 2-1 at the end of the month. September saw Wem travel to Dudley Town and returned home on the end of a 5-0 beating, two further home games followed seeing against Willenhall 3-0 and Kington 1-0. The run continued with a 2-2 creditable away drawer at Newport Town and September ended on a sour note with a 1-0 home loss to Old Wulfrunians.

October has seen Wem win two more games, both again at home, 2-0 to St. Martins and their last game on 14th October a 4-0 home success against the then Division One Leaders Team Dudley. Last week’s fixture against Kington Town was postponed due to a water-logged pitch.

We welcome Wem to The Paycare Ground and hope they enjoy their visit.

Kick-off is 3.00 p.m. Why not bring your family, friends and colleagues to the ground. Bar is open from lunchtime with food available, including our world-class tiger bread cobs, pie chips and peas amongst other fair before and during the game.

Entrance fee £3.00, concessions £2.00 and children under 10 free. Twenty-Four page Match Day Programme £1.00