by Matthew Williams
STIRLING Men’s 1st play host to USW Mens’s 1 in the quarter-final of the Men’s Championship Cup in what promises to be a mammoth clash at Gannochy.
USW are coming into the game having seen off Northumbria Men’s 1st in the first round of the competition. USW defeated Northumbria 3-0 in what was a resounding and comprehensive win for the hosts.
However, USW will know that Stirling will put up a better tougher display on Wednesday, with a place in the semi-final up for grabs. The pressure will be on the hosts, but USW will know there is nowhere to hide in knockout competitions.
The victor of the tie will likely face the prospect of a semi-final against either Cardiff Met or Loughborough, when the remaining sides will be able to smell the final on the horizon.
Sterling are coming into the game full of confidence, as they currently lead the way in the Men’s Premier North. They lead the way with 21 points from their first ten games, with seven wins and three defeats so far. Nottingham Trent Men’s currently sit just one point behind with 20 points, but with one less defeat.
USW currently occupies fourth place in the Men’s Premier South, with 11 points. USW’s league position however is currently sitting in the balance, as they sit two points clear of Bath Men’s, and two points behind Swansea. USW do however sit 17 points behind runaway leaders Hartpury Men’s 1, despite a really positive campaign with lots of heart being shown from USW throughout the campaign.
However as we all know, league form goes out of the window in cup competitions, and with a place in the semi-final fast approaching, USW will enter the lion’s den fully believing they can return home with the result they so crave.
