Thomas Baillie admits it will be “difficult” for Kettering Town to deal with two games in 24 hours this weekend, writes JON DUNHAM.
The fixture backlog has rewarded the already-relegated Poppies with a trip to Bedworth United on Saturday before they take on Bideford in a re-arranged Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division clash at Steel Park on Sunday.
And, with the Kettering squad already being thin in numbers, manager Baillie knows he will have to use what is available to him sensibly.
“It is going to be difficult because we haven’t got a big squad as it is,” he said.
“It may be the case that we take the minimum 14 to Bedworth on Saturday and do the same again on Sunday.
“It’s tough because we are asking a lot of a young group of players but we will look at it closely and see what we can do to ensure we get some positive results.”
Baillie, meanwhile, insists all he will ask of his players for the remainder of the season is for them to “give their best” after the club’s second relegation in as many seasons was confirmed by last weekend’s 4-2 home defeat to Chippenham Town.
“Everyone must remember that the problems the club has had on and off the field this season haven’t been cause by those who are here now,” he added.
“The writing was on the wall long before we came in and while results haven’t always been the best, there haven’t been many times that I could accuse the lads of not trying.
“Some did go through the motions last weekend, which was disappointing.
“But all I will ask of them now is that they give their best and put 100 per cent in for the remaining games.”
BRACKLEY TOWN
Brackley boss Jon Brady has called on his side to be more clinical as the campaign nears its conclusion.
The Saints saw off Vauxhall Motors on Tuesday night, winning 1-0 at St James’ Park.
But it could have been far more comfortable victory had Brackley, who remain third in Blue Square Bet North, taken their chances.
“We allowed them to catch us on the break in the first half but they only had a couple of shots on target all night,” said Brady.
“That has been our weakness recently, we’ve beaten the top sides and not finished off the sides in the middle of the table.”
DAVENTRY TOWN
Daventry Town boss Darran Foster says his side won’t fear Corby Town when the two sides square up in the NFA Hiller Cup final on Tuesday night.
Town take on the Steelmen at Sixfields, looking to complete a remarkable run by taking another higher level scalp.
Foster’s men have beaten Brackley Town and Kettering Town, along with local rivals Woodford United, on their way to the showpiece.
And they will now aim to finish the job by claiming beating the odds to see off Blue Square Bet North Corby.
“It doesn’t matter to us who we’ve got to play against,” said fearless Foster. “We’ve beaten Brackley and Kettering to get there so we certainly haven’t had it easy.
“It will be a big day for us and it’s always nice to play at Sixfields. We’re really looking forward to it.”
WOODFORD UNITED
Phil Mason admits he is sad to see his hard work go to waste after Woodford United’s relegation from step four was confirmed on Tuesday night.
The Reds fell to a 5-2 defeat at home to North Greenford United, their 37th defeat in as many Evo-Stik League Southern Division One Central games this season.
The club, run by chairman Andy Worrall, must now prepare for life at step five, most likely in the UCL Premier Division.
And Mason, who spent 10 years at Byfield Road before being sacked via email four games into the current campaign, admits he is finding the current situation tough to take.
“It’s really sad after all the hard work I put into it,” said the former Reds boss. “I don’t think the chairman’s that bothered because they can’t afford to pay the wages.
“The team we had when I was there was too good for the club and it makes you wonder why they bothered getting to that level in the first place.
“It all seems a bit of a waste and there’s been no ambition shown at all.
“I can’t see the thoughts on it and I think they could have done it differently.
“I put a decade of my life in there and to see them not even get a point is not nice. They are in freefall.”