Doughboys ready for crunch clash with relegation rivals Sileby

Wellingborough Town are gearing up for a crunch clash with Sileby Rangers at the Dog & Duck this weekend as they bid to secure their ChromaSport & Trophies United Counties League Premier Division status.
Wellingborough Town boss Jon Mitchell is remaining confident about his team's chances of avoiding the dropWellingborough Town boss Jon Mitchell is remaining confident about his team's chances of avoiding the drop
Wellingborough Town boss Jon Mitchell is remaining confident about his team's chances of avoiding the drop

The Doughboys dropped back into the relegation zone on Tuesday night after Oadby Town moved above them on goal difference following a 3-1 home success over Sileby.

The Northampton club sit three points clear of Wellingborough and Oadby with four games to play, making Saturday’s clash a huge one for Jon Mitchell and his players.

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But the Doughboys boss is feeling confident about his team’s chances in the remainder of the campaign.

“We are comfortable with the games we have got left,” said Mitchell.

“I think we can pick up enough wins but this weekend is a bit of a six-pointer.

“With the way we have been playing recently, I think we can be confident.

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“We have been building ever since me and Stuart (assistant-manager Goosey) came here and the team has really gelled recently, which can only be a good thing.”

Chris Bradshaw insists there is no way he will allow his Desborough Town side to “go through the motions” in their last four games of the UCL Premier Division season.

Having enjoyed an impressive run of form earlier in the year, Ar Tarn have stumbled recently with four successive defeats without scoring a goal.

They take on county rivals Cogenhoe United at the Waterworks Field this weekend.

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And Bradshaw is keen for a return to form in the latter stages after of the summer months, which will see him preparing for his first full season in charge of the club.

“I guess from when I took over in September, we have been on a good run but it’s turned for us in the last few games because we have lost the last four and haven’t scored a goal in them,” the Desborough boss said.

“We know plenty about Cogenhoe, they are one of the top sides in the Premier Division so it won’t be easy.

“People will be sick of hearing me say that Cogenhoe are what we must try to become because they are top Northants team in the league and that’s where we want to be.

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“For me to kickstart next season, it’s important that we finish this one on a high.

“There is no way we will be going through the motions in the last four games.

“We want to finish with four wins if we can.

“It’s a home game and, aside from the one with Rothwell Corinthians (which they lost 1-0), we have been pretty good on our own ground.”

Rothwell Corinthians boss Shaun Sparrow insists there is no chance of his players “downing tools” in the final five games of the UCL Premier Division campaign.

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Corinthians have secured their top-flight status having been promoted from Division One last season and gave promotion-chasing AFC Kempston Rovers a run for their money during a 3-1 defeat at Sergeants Lawn on Tuesday night.

They suffered a major blow with captain Ben Johnson being taken to hospital with an ankle inury.

But they are back on home soil again this weekend to take on Sleaford Town.

And Sparrow (pictured right) said: “We were disappointed with the game at Sleaford (a 1-0 defeat in February) and we feel we have a point to prove.

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“We have a small squad and another injury to contend with. This is the time of year we should be enjoying ourselves but the injury to our captain has put a big dampner on things.

“But there’s no chance of the boys downing tools because that’s not the sort of group they are. They love playing football and they love doing it at this club.

“We still want to make this season the best it can possibly be. No-one thought we could achieve what we have done and we now want to finish the season off in style.”

Sparrow, meanwhile, had nothing but praise for his team after their efforts against Kempston in midweek.

“It was a shame against Kempston,” he added.

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“We have had a fantastic few weeks and the lads have been exceptional and we have reached that part of the year where we have achieved what we set out to do.

“Kempston are going for promotion and we matched them for good periods.

“Performance-wise I can’t complain because have given a team that will probably be playing at a higher level next season a very good game.”