Two home games and one away, albeit so close that it isn’t really away at all, is what awaits the club this coming weekend, before the third team then attempt to take the next step on the road to becoming the club’s first cup winners in 20 years next Wednesday.

Following their trip to Slimbridge to take on the team at the top of Northern Senior League Division One last weekend, the first team return to more familiar pastures to play their first game of the season against near neighbours Newton Heath, the team that has been bottom of the League for virtually the whole campaign. The side would be well advised against any vestige or inkling of over confidence, however, as Newton Heath recorded their third win of the season last weekend, as we were losing to Slimbridge, and will view the acquisition of the 6 points that are still up for grabs in the two remaining derbies of the season as central to their slim, but still very real, chances of survival. Both teams were promoted last season, with Star only confirming second place ahead of Newton Heath, who were third, with a 5-0 win at Chalford in the last game of the season. Both games between the two sides ended in 1-1 draws in Division Two last year and everything about recent form suggests that this will be another close affair. The first team welcome back Garry Lozynsky after his mid-winter break and retain the services of James Gowing, who was man of the match last weekend. Shaun Gluyas returns to strengthen the midfield and Martin Chandler also looks set to continue his rehabilitation following injury, so that he will be very nearly match fit by the time the close season starts.

The Reserves "travel" to The Newlands to take on FC Barometrics with every reason to be optimistic against the side that dumped them out of the Senior Charity Cup, 5-2, back in January. That game represents the side’s only defeat in the last four months and since then, the Reserves have lifted themselves up to the top of Division Two and have continued on their season-long goal fest, which has seen them record 82 in the "goals for" column so far this season. Last weekend’s demolition of mid table, but in-form Brockworth Albion Reserves gave testament to the confidence that is currently running through the side, whilst some of the football that was played, in very difficult conditions, also demonstrated how well the team is playing at the moment. Whilst first and third, in the shape of the Reserves and Barometrics, are battling it out, second placed Whaddon United have the somewhat less daunting prospect of a trip to Bredon to look forward to. However, with the overall aim being promotion and Barometrics and Whaddon still to play each other, any sort of result at The Newlands will be more than acceptable, especially as Barometrics have 8 games during April, two of which are Cup Finals. Not surprisingly, the side has a very familiar look about it but, nevertheless, the team will be glad to welcome back Mike Thompson and will be hoping that the recent good news about the state of Jon Moss’s knee was not blindly optimistic.

Following two traumatic weeks, in both of which winning leads against the other two sides in Division 5’s top three were surrendered in injury time, the third team must guard against the twin evils of complacency and distraction when they entertain Northleach Town on Saturday. Following the big matches of the last fortnight, it would seem to be rather less daunting this weekend to be playing against Northleach Town Reserves, who have only won one game all season to leave themselves rooted in the League’s re-election zone. However, there are still three points up for grabs and there can be no room for complacency. The side must also ensure that it does not allow the prospect of next Wednesday’s cup semi final to become pre-eminent until after the job is done on Saturday, and any thoughts of FC Barometrics Reserves in the Minor Charity Cup must be put on the back burner until three more League points are in the bag. The side hasn’t enjoyed a convincing win for quite a while now and will be looking to Martin Reid and Kieran Bermingham to provide the fire power up front just in case the wheels come off the goal machine that has, latterly, been Mark Elliot.