Non-league weekend preview: Sheffield FC boss set for meeting with old club - Stocksbridge hope to extend run

Sheffield FC boss Gavin Smith faces the club where he enjoyed huge success as a player when Worksop Town visit the Coach and Horses this weekend.
Sheffield FC boss Gavin Smith is set to face the club where he enjoyed a long successful playing career. Pic: Joseph SmartSheffield FC boss Gavin Smith is set to face the club where he enjoyed a long successful playing career. Pic: Joseph Smart
Sheffield FC boss Gavin Smith is set to face the club where he enjoyed a long successful playing career. Pic: Joseph Smart

It will be the first league meeting between the two teams since the mid-1970s, although the two teams have met in cup competitions in recent years.

Sheffield are unbeaten in six and sit just three points adrift of the play-off spots in the BetVictor South East Division, six points ahead of the Tigers.

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“I had six great years at Worksop at a time when the club enjoyed what was possibly their best times,” said Smith.

“We had good runs in the FA Trophy and the FA Cup where we reached the first round in 2001.

"We went out 3-0 at Bournemouth in a game I remember as I was sent off - wrongly in my opinion!

"There are still people at the club I know well from my time there and I know most of the players too, but those friendships will be put to one side on Saturday.

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"It will all be about getting three points for Sheffield FC and keeping our unbeaten run going.”

Stocksbridge Park Steels will look to consolidate their place in the top six with a win at lowly Sutton Coldfield Town as Steels look to stretch their unbeaten run to four games.

“December is a massive month for us as we’ve got teams from lower down the table to play,” said Steels boss Chris Hilton. “You’ve still got to go out and win those games of course but if we do that then it will have been a good first half to the season and will set us up nicely for the second half of the campaign.”

In the NCEL, Handsworth will look to build on their excellent performance at Premier Division leaders Penistone Church that earned them a solid point in the last outing when they host Maltby Main.

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It will be a tough game for the Ambers youngsters, with the Miners having signed experienced players such as Rory Coleman and Gavin Allott over the past week.

Hallam welcome in-form Armthorpe Welfare to Sandygate Road.

The match represents another big game for the the Countrymen, who go into the contest 10th in Division One - six points outside the top four.

The visitors have shown what a difference stringing a few results together can make, having won their last five.