HELLENIC LEAGUE: Concern for Hopkins (From Swindon Advertiser)

HELLENIC LEAGUE: Concern for Hopkins

6:00am Friday 8th March 2013 in Sport By Ned Payne

NEW College boss Rob Hopkins had been hoping for some continuity after his side finally got their first win since September last weekend.

But he has not got his wish as several factors have conspired to ensure that a number of changes will have to be made for tomorrow's home clash with Old Woodstock.

Richie Smith is unavailable while Nathan Blackford and Ryan Stanners are doubtful with knocks ahead of the Division One West fixture.

Hopkins said: “I think we might have to make quite a few changes this week because some lads have picked up knocks.

“Also the under 18s have quite a few games over the next few days so we'll have to spread the squad across all of that, so we might be a bit thin.

“It might be all-change, which is a shame after we got a win last weekend, but never mind. Hopefully we can build on what we did last Saturday.”

College might have been on the end of a 4-1 defeat in their last encounter with Old Woodstock, but Hopkins is positive on his team's chances of getting a better result this time round.

“They are higher up in the table than us but we played well against them last time,” he said.

“We should have come away with more than what we got.”

Elsewhere in the division tomorrow, Lambourn are at home to Lydney.

Our one remaining Hellenic side involved in knockout football, Purton, will aim to progress to the quarter-finals this weekend.

They welcome Clanfield to the Red House, a side who are currently midtable in Division One West and who Purton have already beaten in the league this campaign.

In the Hellenic Premier, rock-bottom Shrivenham have a tough assigment at Wantage while fellow strugglers Highworth make the trip to Cheltenham.