Close encounter is expected
"I think it's going to be one of the tightest play-offs ever." And it's a prediction that White Horse chairman Phil Craggs takes no pleasure in making as he looks ahead to their Furrows Shropshire Premier League play-off crunch against Bylet tomorrow night.
It's a winner-takes-all clash on Sir John Bayley's No 1 green in Wellington (7pm) that would mean escaping relegation from the Premier for the Telford wooden spoonists - or promotion back to the so-called elite for Bylet's double champions.
Like Craggs, most pundits are forecasting a close encounter as the Bridgnorth-based challengers look to regain a place in the Premier that they lost to Ford in the 2001 play-off.
And that's why White Horse - led by Craggs and skipper Graham Hollis - were leaving nothing to risk, organising a full scale practice session followed by a team meeting at their Heath Hill base last night.
"We are going to give it our best shot," said Craggs.
"We know it's going to be close - in fact I think it's going to be one of the tightest play-offs ever.
"It could all come down to the draw on the night, because they have got some good players and so have we."
White Horse have had just one season in the Premier after taking the vacant 14th space created by the demise of Craven Arms.
A three-year plan instigated by Craggs to reach the top flight came to fruition last October when, as Highley League champions, they beat Bridgewater (Whitchurch and Malpas league winners) to grab that place.
Twelve months on and White Horse face another huge moment of truth at the Bayley club.
"We know Bylet well and they have got some good players in the likes of Scott Harries, Andy James and Jamie Chater," admitted Craggs.
"But a year on from beating Bridgewater, we have five new players in our line-up that make us stronger.
"There's Ian Charles (who plays for Woodfield in the South Staffs League), young Danny Davies (Penn), Rob Wilkinson (signed from Archibald Worthington), John Lovett (recruited from Donnington Wood) and John Cooke (who helped St Georges to the Mid Shropshire division one title last season).
"They have all played for us in the Premier League this season and are ready for this game as we have the best 12 players in the club available to play on Friday."
The extra edge of playing most of the county's top players in the Premier League is a key factor that Craggs and Hollis hope will give them the edge on Mick Harries and his Bylet boys.
And White Horse certainly found the step up to the Premier a steep one.
It took them until July 14 to score their first win of the campaign, and that caused mega shockwaves as it came against reigning champions Chester Road.
But only two more wins followed as the Horse finished with just three from 26 games - and 33 points adrift of Childs Ercall.
Their second team on a Friday night were relegated from Mid Shropshire's top flight and they failed to retain the Highley League crown . . . pipped by Bylet.
Yet Craggs and Co are in determined mood ahead of tomorrow.
"We've had a tough season in the Premier but we want to give it another go - and we won't be giving up our place lightly."
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