LONGTON are relishing the task of tackling Midlands One leaders Luctonians on their own patch.

The Leominster side have won seven games out of eight to be a point clear, but Longton player coach Paul Green said: "Sometimes you need a stern challenge to bring the best out of you.

"When we played National League side Nuneaton in the EDF Cup, we rose to the occasion and gave a good account of ourselves, so this game promises to be rather interesting."

Longton still languish in the lower reaches of the table, but Green said: "We could so easily be in the top three or four."

Longton were beaten by the last kick of last Saturday's home match against Chester, but Green said: "The all-round performance was pleasing.

"We played some decent stuff, but in tight games it boils down to fractions as to whether you win or lose and we have been five to 10 per cent short. Chester had the luck, we didn't.

"In the majority of games, we have competed extremely well, so we have to go into every game thinking we can win. If we think we are going to lose we might as well hang up our boots and play crown green bowls."

STOKE, two points off the top in Midlands Three (West), make changes at home to Solihull.

Skipper Phil McPherson is unavail-able, so the team will be led by Steve Currie.

McPherson's place at fly-half goes to Matt Chalmers, while Wayne Dicken makes his first start at inside centre.

Keele University student Liam Monaghan takes over at full-back from Peter White, who steps down to the bench.

Monaghan has been with the club for a couple of years, but is not always readily available. He has impressed in the seconds and now fills the boots vacated by the injured Steve Talbot.

Stoke won 22-16 at Sutton Coldfield last week and McPherson said: "We were not at the races in the opening 25 minutes and were 13-0 down, so it says much for the character of the side and how much we have improved that we were able to turn it around."

STAFFORD travel to bottom side Wednesbury in Midlands Three (West) for what coach Graham Macdonald already describes as a 'must win' game.

Stafford remain fourth despite last Saturday's defeat away to Aston Old Edwardians, but Macdonald said: "If we lose, we can forget about a top-four finish."

Macdonald was upset by the manner of the performance at Aston, so will be looking for a response against a side that has lost all eight games.

He said: "We were lazy and the game was boring," and warned "if we play like that at Wednesbury, we will lose."