Rugby Town host newly-promoted Haughmond in the MFL Premier Division at Butlin Road this weekend.

Rugby have had a mixed start to the campaign having lost their first league game of the season at Heanor Town on Tuesday after a win and draw to start the league campaign.

Valley boss Dave Stringer will be hoping to get his side back on track with a win especially given the fact there are still six teams with 100% records in the division at the moment.

After the Haughmond game, Rugby travel to South Normanton Athletic in the league on Bank Holiday Monday, kick-off 3pm.

Opponents - Haughmond

This game will be the first time that the two clubs have met on the pitch.

Haughmond have won promotion to this league by topping the West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division last season scoring 135 goals in the process.

Haughmond have made a steady start to the league with a draw against Coventry Sphinx and an impressive FA Cup win at Bedworth meaning they now have an First Qualifying Round tie against NPL Premier side Matlock Town to look forward to next week.

Having lost to Romulus at home in the FA Cup last week and the draw against Long Eaton, it is now eight months since Rugby recorded their last Butlin Road win - a 3-1 Boxing Day win over Bedworth.

Valley Player News

Valley boss Dave Stringer remains without striker Ruben Wiggins-Thomas who is currently on holiday and missed the Heanor Town game on Tuesday.

Wiggins-Thomas will also miss Monday’s game at South Normanton.

Brad Harris also remains a doubt after also missing the Heanor game with an ankle injury while Trey Brathwaite and Craig Kelly are still unlikely to feature.

Returning midfielder Sam Belcher signed from Atherstone earlier in the week to deputise at Heanor Town. Sam is back for his third spell at the club having scored eight goals in 33 appearances in his first two spells.

Left back Jamie Hall will serve a one-match ban after his red card on Tuesday at Heanor but the ban does not affect him until the Stourport match next Saturday.

Valley Squad from: Niall Cooper; Sean Castleton, Jamie Hall, Brad Harris, Aiden Print, Kyle Rowley, Mason Rowley; Ben Ashby, Reece Chambers, James Dance, Harry Holloway, Liam Holt, Sam Belcher, Josh Ruff, Josh Thornton; Tevin Shakespeare, Chadd Birch, David Kolodynski, Ruben Wiggins-Thomas.