But with their newly-laid pitch not ready, the game will instead be played at Madeley – in Telford (1.30pm).

“We’ve got the better of them in the last three games so hopefully we can keep that going,” said Telford spokesman Jon Woodrow.

“It’s a big game for us because it’s already quite tight and a few of the teams you’d have expected to do quite well, like Coventry & North Warwick and Harborne, have struggled.

“Bridgnorth have lost a couple of players but they’ve gained a couple as well.

“I think it’s important to get the first goal – to be ahead instead of chasing the game.”

Telford’s build-up to the derby has not gone ideally, as they fell to a 3-1 defeat to Olton & West Warwick at Lilleshall’s National Sports Centre last Saturday.

The visitors scored either side of half-time before Andy Lloyd registered his first for Telford. But Olton added a third straight away.

Refused

Bridgnorth’s form looks more promising, as they won 4-3 at Sutton Coldfield to make it two out of two.

A decisive strike from Peter Evans put them ahead and Ali Raza scored from a short corner to make it two before the hosts reduced the deficit.

Evans made it three going into half-time but Sutton closed the gap again before Bruno Mustone made it four.

Sutton refused to give up and got a third – and Bridgnorth were down to 10 men when Edward Brown was sent off for dissent towards an umpire.

But they defended resiliently to hold on. Brown is now banned for 16 days and misses the derby.

“You don’t get anything given to you in this league, you’ve got to go out every Saturday and earn the three points,” said Bridgnorth skipper James Childs.

“Telford will be disappointed with last Saturday and it will only make them even stronger. It should be a nice tight game.”

Shrewsbury earned a creditable draw form a thriller with Coventry & North Warwick that finished 4-4. And they have another stern test this weekend when they travel to Mansfield to face one of four sides in the division with a 100 per cent record.

The draw with Coventry was a big improvement on the last two years, having lost their last four games to the same opposition, scoring just twice and conceding 17 in the process.

And Shrewsbury’s point this time owed a lot to a superb goalkeeping display from Karl Blacklock.

Goals from Paul Quartermaine, Phil Miller, Lyndon Boyden made it 3-3 at half-time.

Miller got his second after the break to earn a the point, with Coventry having gone ahead for a third time.

“Although Mansfield are one of only four sides to have won both their games, and despite the long journey and an early start, this Saturday cannot come soon enough for a Shrewsbury squad that is growing in self-belief with every week,” said spokesman Robert Furlong.

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