MATCH PREVIEW- Winchester City vs Gloucester City

Gloucester City prepare to make their second visit down to Hampshire in just three days as they face relegation mired Winchester City at the Simplyhealth City Ground.

City will be looking to make it nine games unbeaten on the trot in the league with a victory extending their advantage over Merthyr who do not play until Saturday while the Tigers are in FA Trophy action.

Despite Winchester's lowly position in the Southern Premier Division South table, they have only lost one of their last four games including a victory last time out against Walton and Hersham.

That win against playoff chasing Walton and Hersham saw the Citizens climb out of the relegation zone, showing that the Tigers cannot rest on the laurels that have seen them just lose once this season.

Tigers boss Mike Cook hopes that his side will play to the high standards they've set and know that they can be punished if they don't.

“We’ve basically got to make sure that we turn up like we did on Saturday, and then the game will look after itself. 

“If we don’t, we will know that we can be a bit off it at times and be a bit inconsistent, and that’s the thing. Being top of the league, you’ve got to be consistent to stay up there, so let’s hope that’s what we are going to do.”

In a hectic schedule that has seen City balance FA Trophy and league commitments, rotation will be key despite the heavy injury strain that saw City fail to name a full substitutes bench.

Dan Leadbitter should be available to play, as his suspension will carry over to Saturday, while Dan Ball will return from suspension having picked up a red card in the penalty shootout Trophy win against Wimborne Town.

One player who will not be available is Jadyn Crosbie whose hamstring injury is set to rule him out for the next week at least as City's medical chiefs manage his fitness.

Brandon Smalley who scored a fine goal against Totton on Saturday and Kieran Phillips who has been recovering from injury will be itching to get a start against the Citizens who currently sit 18th in the table.

Despite the return of players it doesn't seem to be a perfect situation for Cook who has injuries that has stretched his side to the bare bones.

"We’ve got Bally (Dan Ball) coming back in, and Recks (Jamie Reckord) coming back in. 

“We’ve got a couple more bodies available, but they might have to come straight back in and play straight away, which is not ideal, but that’s where we are at the moment.”

The Citizens notched up their first home victory at the weekend at the sixth attempt, and a second consecutive home result could see them rise up to 14th and away from the relegation drop zone, having finished 11th last season.

As for the Tigers they have won just twice out of six away from the fortress TigerTurf and a City win will help consolidate them at the front of the promotion pack, while promotion rivals Totton hosts mid table Taunton.

Make sure you get your tickets to support the boys just like you've done all season and help back the boys to another victory as we head down the South Coast again!