Worcester Raiders will be hoping to bounce back from being dumped out of the Bluefin Challenge Cup in mid-week when they take on Shrivenham at Sixways this Saturday.

Karl Gormley’s men will be hoping to respond to not only their cup defeat to Wantage on Wednesday but also their entertaining albeit frustrating 3-2 home defeat against top of the league Malvern Town during the Christmas period.

With Raiders 10 points off second place Cribbs, and a further two points off table topping Malvern, Saturday’s game will be vital particularly with Raiders and Cribbs having three games in hand on Malvern due to the postponements because of the weather.

As for Malvern, they are coming under a bit of pressure after dropping more points in their eight goal thriller against Roman Glass St George last weekend.

They take on Mangotsfield United away from home this time out and with second placed Cribbs breathing down their necks, Malvern need the three points to keep themselves top of the division.

There will also be another chance to see new signing and prolific striker Harlie Price in action.

The forward, from Brimscombe and Thrupp ,scored 32 goals in 43 outings last season and been brought in to bring “quality and threat in the opposition box” according to co-manager Lee Hooper.

He made his debut off the bench in the 1-0 cup win on Tuesday evening at Tuffley Rovers, but will surely be unleashed on Mangotsfield from the start this weekend.

For high-flying Pershore Town, who have not played since their 13-0 demolition of Cirencester Town Development, their next match will be the rearranged Worcester Senior Cup fixture against Droitwich Spa which will now take place this coming Tuesday.

Danny Janes' side, who remain top of the league in Hellenic League Division One, will be hoping to reach the semi-final of the cup competition they won last year.

The Plums remain on course for another trophy-laden season and are in contention for all three cup competitions as well as the league title.

Danny Janes' Plums are on a ten game winning streak in all competitions but are well aware that Milton United are hot on their tails with games in hand.

The Plums must keep winning to keep the pressure on Milton, but that's easier said than done.

"The players must be praised for the run they are on, winning ten consecutive games in a row in all competitions is a great achievement at any level of football." said Janes.

"They know we want more from them, they know the expectations and demands always remain high."