The Lions head south this weekend, hoping to end a three-game losing streak away from Nethermoor. Rushall Olympic will host the Lions for only the second time ever and for the first time since 2014, writes Scott Kelly.

“First half up until their goal I thought we were the better team. We had great chances. I would say that we didn’t use the conditions to our advantage. I don’t think we concede that second goal if we didn’t have that torrential rain coming towards us”.

Speaking after the midweek 2-1 defeat at Cleethorpes Town, boss Ian Richards bemoaned the nature in which both goals were conceded.

“You never like to lose. The lads kept their standards high. I was impressed by a number of facets to that performance”.

Impressed by the conduct of the players in particular, Richards was pleased with the overall performance despite the weather at times wreaking havoc.

“It is on astro turf. It will be a different game to tonight. They play out from the back. Our away form needs to be better so Saturday is a great opportunity to improve on that”.

Richards expects a different contest to Cleethorpes on Saturday. The weather needs to be better, and he plans to sit down with his players to sort who starts/formations etc. ‘They have been drawn into a relegation battle’ Richards added.

Team News

Lebrun Mbeka was signed off for a week so didn’t feature at Cleethorpes after playing through pain during the weekend win over Whitby Town. He is not likely to feature.

One player likely to return though is John Lufudu. He missed the Cleethorpes game through illness, with Richards confirming he will likely be in contention to face Rushall.

George Goodman also returned to the XI in midweek after an injury layoff. He will likely again deputise in Mbeka’s likely absence.

Will Longbottom and Jamie Spencer remain on the sidelines.

The Opposition

Just last season, the ‘Pics’ were hosting the likes of Scunthorpe United and Brackley Town in National League North. With the Iron in particular thriving back in the top tier of non-League football, Rushall have however struggled following relegation to the Northern Premier League.

They are at serious risk of successive relegations. Despite their away form this campaign being fairly admirable, it’s at home where they have largely struggled. Only Stocksbridge Park Steels have a worse record at home than the Pics, and they also share another unwanted record, 28 goals conceded on home soil. The Sheffield club again share that unwanted record with them.

They sit just two points above the relegation trap door, and with the likes of Workington picking up form to attempt to save themselves, the Walsall-based club are one of a few sides who risk being sucked into the bottom three. A little crumb of comfort for them though is that even before they face the Lions this Saturday, of the games they have to play, only Stockton and Hebburn currently operate in the top half. They go away to the Hornets on the final day, with what be a crucial clash at home to Morpeth coming on 18th April.

After a loss in midweek in the Walsall Senior Cup to Chasetown, they come into Saturday’s game winless in six league matches, but with only one defeat in those. They are also winless at home since New Year’s Day when they picked up an unexpected 1-0 victory over Hednesford Town.

Jake Davies-Manton is the Pics number one stopper. Although do not be surprised to see Jenson Kilroy in the sticks on Saturday. He stepped in after Davies-Manton was injured in the warmup and even saved a penalty against Gainsborough Trinity in their last league game. Max Ram, once of Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Wycombe Wanderers operates in defence. Defender Jordaan Brown rejoined the club after a year long spell at nearby Stourbridge. Highly rated midfielder Roddy McGlinchey joined the club in 2024 after coming through at Peterborough United. Aurio Teixiera joined the club in the summer. After starting at West Bromwich Albion, the midfielder later played for Alvechurch and Hereford before joining the Pics. Jakob Kruszynski is a winger on loan from Mansfield Town and forward Dan Chimeziiri is on loan from the Baggies. Liam McAlinden joined in 2024 after spells higher up the pyramid for the likes of Wrexham and Scunthorpe United.

Midfielder Alex Moore is the clubs top goalscorer with six goals. His most recent goal came in the draw with Gainsborough last weekend after coming off the bench.

The man in the Pics’ hot seat is Ian Long. A former player for Rushall, Long took over in April 2025 and is well-respected in non-league football in the West Midlands for his work with the likes of Alvechurch, Stourbridge and Walsall Wood.

Previous Meetings

This will be only the fourth ever meeting between the sides, with this being the Lions first visit to Dales Lane since the 2013/14 campaign.

The sides met in the FA Trophy. After the first match finished 0-0, the Lions went to Dales Lane and won 2-1 to progress to the next round.

This is the Lions first ever league visit to this ground, with the first ever league meeting between the sides coming back in August, with the Pics’ winning 1-0 at Nethermoor.

Listen Live

If you cannot make it to the West Midlands, live audio commentary can be found via the Mixlr app or via guiseleyradio.mixlr.com from 2:50pm on Saturday.

Tickets & Travel

Tickets will be available to purchase at the turnstiles on the day by cash or card payment or you can buy online in advance.

To celebrate Non League Day Rushall Olympic have reduced the price of tickets to:

• £10 Adults
• £8 Concessions (60+)
• £5.50 U18s
• £1 U12s with a full paying adult

Programmes will be available to purchase for £3 on the day.

Coach travel is available with Guiseley AFC Supporters’ Club, just call Paul on 07518 445861 to secure a seat.

The coach leaves Nethermoor at 10am priced at £25 for members and £30 for non-members.