League Run-In

Posted on Saturday, May 4th, 2013

For the first time this year, the picture is now clearer at both ends of the table in terms of what’s required to win the title and avoid the drop. After a sticky start to the season – something to be expected in a season of transition – Bingo has led his Preston side to within touching distance of mid table safety…a notable feat in a season when each and every team can beat anyone on their day. I’m sure everyone in the opposition dressing room today wants to enjoy a successful league run-in and finish in the top 6.

For our part, we go into today’s game on a real high after 2 x semi-final cup wins in a week. After losing our previous 2 x semi-final games earlier in the year, our players showed great character, a real sense of belief in each other and a collective work ethic this past week which resulted in 2 x notable wins.

Last Saturday vs. ‘The Welfare’ we lifted the semi-final monkey off our back with a 3-1 win. As a Team we had no failures on the day. Led superbly by Cloudy and Harry up top – both of whom set an incredible tone and example for others to follow – the Team demonstrated a high level of ability to ensure we would reach the King Cup final at the expense of our great rivals. Beating ‘The Welfare’ for a 2nd time this season set-us up perfectly to go to Stirling and break another hoodoo…namely, to beat the current champions for the 1st time this season.

Two very difficult, demanding and significant cup ties overcome, the focus now is 100% on winning enough league points to lift the title. We know it won’t be easy, far from it…as I alluded to earlier, there are no easy games in this league, it’s the most competitive league I can remember for a long time.

On the player front, Daniel O’Donnell is unavailable for selection today, along with Chris Flockhart and Ando. One or two others are also rated in the ‘doubtful’ category. However, on a positive note, Robbie Manson is available once again after missing our trip to Stirling. The make-up of players available for games between now and 1st June will change for each and every game…at this stage, more than ever perhaps, we will simply go one game at a time, as we look to continue our recent good form and see where it takes us.

Sammy