ON Chenecks player-boss Graham Cottle is hoping for a blood and thunder affair when his team travel to local rivals Spencer on Saturday.
The clash at Kingsthorpe Mill is the latest in a number of local derbies this season, with the likes of Sileby Rangers and Bugbrooke St Michaels also residing in UCL Division One.,
Chenecks will hope to claim the bragging rights this weekend as their aim to further their bid for a top-half finish.
And Cottle believes his side’s best chance of victory at the Mill comes in the form of their physical presence.
“I certainly hope my lads get fired up for it,” said the Chenecks manager.
“It ‘s been great to have so many derby games this season and I always enjoy the local derbies and Saturday will be no different.
“Hopefully it’ll be a blood and thunder kind of game and we’ll come out on top.
“We always prefer it to be a physical game and we don’t shy away from that side of the game.”
Chenecks put in a creditable showing in a 2-1 defeat to AFC Rushden & Diamonds last weekend, before claiming a goalless draw at Rushden & Higham United in midweek.
Cottle has been pleased with his side’s performances, but he now wants them to start getting the points they deserve.
He said: “Our past three performances have been good and we need to start turning them into victories.
“We want to push on for the final few games and we’re still hoping for a top-half finish.”
And Cottle knows victory on Saturday at Spencer would go some way towards helping his men achieve their aims.
“We could really do with a win from that game,” he said.
“They’re obviously having a really good season but we’ve got seven games left and we want to win a good percentage of them.
“We’re looking to win something like five or six of our final seven games.”
Elsewhere in division one on Saturday, Bugbrooke St Michaels, who also play tonight against Rushden & Higham, host Rothwell Corinthians.
RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS
AFC Rushden & Diamonds are fufilling their side of the bargain, but manager Mark Starmer wants to see a more ruthless approach in the final stages of the campaign, writes ALEC SWANN.
A 2-1 victory against ON Chenecks at Billing Road on Saturday kept the Diamonds on top of the standings.
And with a few twists and turns possible before the campaign is out with both the Diamonds and Oadby due to face Eynesbury, all Starmer’s side can do is keep winning their games.
But with goal difference a possibility to decide who clinches one of the two promotion slots, Starmer is urging his charges to make the most of the opportunities can fashion.
He said: “We keep doing our bit and this weekend has to be the same.
“We’ve got to be up for it, it’ll be another tough game but our results have been very good even if our performances haven’t always been as good as I would like.
“There are still four teams right in it and it looks like it will go all the way to the final game.
“Goal difference could well be needed and we haven’t been clinical enough in front of goal.
“First and foremost we need to win our games but if we can we need to get a 4-0 or 5-0 scoreline that some of performances have warranted.”
And regardless of whether the Diamonds earn promotion to the top flight or not, in the summer Starmer feels this is an area that will have to be developed.
He added: “We’ve not really been clinical enough all season.
“Whatever happens this year we need to kick on if we want to improve and get higher and that means taking more of the chances that we’re creating.”
Diamonds are currently second in the division one table, with Sileby having returned to the top with a win 5-0 win at Wootton Blue Cross on Wednesday.
Sileby are back in action at Fernie Fields tomorrow when they host Potton (ko 3pm).
LONG BUCKBY
Boss Scott Goodwin says he will continue to put his body on the line as he aims to aid Long Buckby’s survival bid.
The manager played his first full 90 minutes of the season in centre midfield in the game against Holbeach United last weekend.
But former Coventry City player Goodwin was unable to help his team avoid defeat, as they suffered a 6-0 humbling at Station Road.
The Bucks remain dangerously close to the relegation zone in the UCL Premier Division, with teams below having games in hand.
And with a clash at high-flying Spalding next up, it doesn’t get much easier.
Goodwin, who is preparing to play again, at Spalding this weekend, is determined to stay positive, but he is hoping some of his attributes rub off on some of his squad members.
“One man can’t carry 10,” he said, “but I’m hoping my experience will help in the final few games.
“I was like the tin man during the second half of the game, but I wanted to prove to myself and the lads I could go through the pain barrier.”
Saturday fixtures
CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE
Premier Division: Cogenhoe v Deeping, Desborough v Newport Pagnell, Holbeach v St Ives, Irchester v Boston Town, Quorn v Huntingdon, Sleaford v Harborough, Spalding v Long Buckby, Stewarts & Lloyds v AFC Kempston, Yaxley v Wellingborough Town.
Division One: AFC Rushden & Diamonds v Bourne, Buckingham v Rushden & Higham, Bugbrooke v Rothwell Corinthians, Burton Park Wanderers v Whitworth, Spencer v ON Chenecks, Oadby v Eynesbury, Sileby v Potton, Thrapston v Olney, Wootton Blue Cross v Harrowby.
Reserve Division One: AFC Kempston v Cogenhoe, Blackstones v Woodford United, Harborough v Huntingdon, Peterborough Northern Star v Bugbrooke, Whitworth v Thrapston.
Reserve Division Two: Bourne v Burton Park Wanderers, Eynesnbury v Oadby, Olney v ON Chenecks, Raunds v Irchester, Rothwell Corinthians v Yaxley.