Preston Grasshoppers make the long journey into rural Herefordshire this coming Saturday to play Luctonians at their Mortimer Park venue for what will be a crucial game for both sides.
After suffering yet another defeat last Saturday, this time at the hands of Yorkshire rivals Otley, the forthcoming game against fellow struggler’s Luctonians, has added importance. Our hosts on the other hand will have given their confidence a boost with a creditable draw over third place Caldy last Saturday at Paton Field.
Luctonians currently prop up the rest of the league with just a single victory over Huddersfield and last weeks draw at Caldy against their name, whilst Hoppers sit uncomfortably just a couple of places above the bottom three with a handful of points being the difference between the two sides.
Hoppers have had mixed fortunes at Mortimer Park in the few fixtures played there between the two sides. After losing on their first two visits they managed to first draw one before gaining their single victory away against Luc’s a couple of seasons ago and only to came away with a losing bonus point last time out.
Like Hoppers, our hosts survival in National 2 North at the end of last season went to the final Saturday and while Hoppers were successful away at Hull, Luctonians breathed a sigh of relief after a home win against Leicester Lions which sealed the fate of Hoppers hosts in Hull together with Birmingham Solihull.
Having moved through the Midland’s Leagues, Luctonians are currently playing their sixth season at this level which sees them languishing with Hoppers in the wrong half of the league table this time round. With much of the season still remaining, both clubs will be looking at this latest fixture to turn their fortunes around and start to climb away from the relegation area to safety.
The full record of meetings between the two clubs reads, five victories to Preston Grasshoppers whilst our hosts have recorded four wins with the one previously mentioned drawn fixture at Mortimer Park.
Photo courtesy of Mike Craig – Mark Murray draws his man against Luctonians last season
