Mid-table consolidation is the main aim for Sargent's Romans

Nathan Heycock scores Irchester United's fifth goal in their 7-0 thrashing of Woodford United last weekend. Pictures by Alison Bagley

The Romans sit in 11th place heading into this weekend’s clash at Melton Town, who thumped Thrapston Town 6-0 last Saturday.

But Sargent believes his team have a chance of picking up another positive result after they thumped Woodford United 7-0 in their last outing.

“This time last year we were fourth or fifth and we ended up finishing fourth from bottom so our main aim is to consolidate in mid-table,” Sargent said.

Irchester celebrate after one of their goals in the 7-0 hammering of Woodford

“To do that, we need to beat the teams around us first and foremost.

“We won our first two games of the season and then had a bit of an injury crisis and lost five on the spin, all of which were against teams in and around us.

“So we are still playing catch-up from that to a certain extent.

“I think Thrapston are a decent team and they took a beating at Melton last weekend so we know it will be difficult.

Frustrations boil over during Irchester United's big victory over Woodford United at Alfred Street last Saturday

“We are hopeful of getting a couple of key players back.

“We will have a plan and if we have a full-strength squad then we will have a good chance of picking up a result.”

Ty Clark and Nathan Heycock both bagged braces while Ryan Lovell, Ant Sharp and Matt Keenleyside also got in on the act during last weekend’s big win over Woodford.

And Sargent added: “It’s always good to score goals and that was our biggest win since we took charge.

“You have Woodford, Burton Park Wanderers and Stewarts & Lloyds down there and I felt Burton and S&L had more fight about them.

“Woodford rolled over to be honest. It was a good win, the goals went in at the right time but the performance wasn’t our best.”

There’s a big game at London Road as fourth-placed Whitworth take on sixth-placed Raunds Town.

The Flourmen maintained their lofty position with a 4-3 win at Blackstones last weekend thanks to James Gorman (2), Theo Alcindor and Dean Hall.

The Shopmates were held to a 0-0 draw by Rushden & Higham United last Saturday before losing 3-0 to Premier Division side Wisbech Town in the UCL Knockout Cup on Tuesday night.

The Lankies entertain Bourne Town this weekend while Thrapston also have home advantage against Long Buckby.

Rock-bottom Stewarts & Lloyds face Blackstones at Occupation Road while fellow strugglers Burton Park Wanderers make the trip to Oakham United.