Perhaps there's a little feeling of 'out of the frying pan, into the fire' about today's game for Danny Janes' side following the 2 - 1 defeat to Royal Wootton Bassett Town at home last weekend, The Plums now travelling to face second in the league, Mangos.

Today's game was originally scheduled for December, just after Christmas in-fact, but one of 2024 many storms put a stop to that with high winds causing problems down in Bristol.

With just one win in their last six games, in all competitions, you'd imagine The Plums would've fancied somewhat of an easier tie than today's offering - if there is such a thing in the Hellenic League Premier.

Glyn Ashston's sides' form is completely opposite to Pershore's, The Mangos have lost just two games in their last sixteen fixtures in all competitions - one of those defeats via a penalty shoot-out.

It's the penultimate league fixture for Mangotsfield United this afternoon, they'll round up their campaign in a few weeks time with a trip to Malmesbury Victoria but with a Play-Off place already secured, they'll be gearing up for further fixtures.

In truth, it would shock everybody now if Hartpury University didn't win the league and Highworth Town would need a shocking finish to not secure the last Play-Off space. So now it comes down to positioning, with each team in desperate search of home advantage, that alone will ensure that Mangos certainly won't take today's game lightly.

Lewis Powell and George Neill lead the way in the scoring charts for today's hosts, whilst the goals in general have been well spread out for Glyn Ashton's side. Lewis and George both sit on eleven goals for the season whilst behind them is defender Mircea Ilea, on nine.

Powell struck fifteen in fourteen games last season in the Hellenic League for Cinderford and since joining Mangotsfield, he's only featured twenty times for his eleven goals this campaign.

For Neill, seventeen goals last season for Slimbridge AFC lead to his move to Mangotsfield in the summer and he's lead the way for much of the season for Glyn Ashton's side.

Ellis Parker is another former Slimbridge AFC player from last season, after featuring forty-one times he also made the move in the summer and has already played thirty-nine times this season. Ellis is one of the best keepers in the Hellenic League and there is little surprise that he's kept eighteen clean sheets this campaign.

The Mangos won comfortably against Janes' side earlier in the season at the Recruit 12 Community Stadium with three goals in the second half taking the game away from The Plums in a 4 - 1 scoreline.

Just six players in Pershore's squad that day are likely to feature for Janes' side this afternoon due to injuries and departures.

Whilst the focus now will be around the Challenge Cup, Janes will still be desperate to see his side finish strongly despite the tough final three fixtures at the conclusion of today's game.

Jake Donnelly, Sacha Everard both still remain a doubt through injury whilst Luke Carsley and Steve Webb are now both added to that list. Once again they'll have to be another new look Pershore Town back line this afternoon.

They'll be a heavy reliance on the top end of the pitch once again, with Aidan Clark, Harlie Price, James Baldwin and Bailey Fuller all looking to add to their scoring totals from the season so far.

Raiyan Ahmed will also be looking to add his first for Pershore following his move from Brimscombe & Thrupp. The speedy winger has found himself in and out of the side, due to cup competitions, but he'll get a short run at it now before Pershore travel to Ludlow when he'll be cup tied again.

We could also be a return to the squad for Taylor Eades this afternoon following his injury Tuffley Rovers. Taylor trained on Thursday, after feeling discomfort the previous week in training.

There is no easy game in the Hellenic League this season, but this afternoon will undoubtedly prove to be one of Pershore's toughest.

"A really tough trip for us against a side who have had an excellent season." said Janes.

"It's an opportunity to reach the levels I expect from this team. I felt we prepared really well at training this week with how we want to approach the game.

"We have a bit of an injury crisis at the moment, a further two players never made it through training so we are going to have to be really versatile.

"Those players coming in have an opportunity to perform. We go there with a clear intention but will need to be close to perfect on the day."