Feelgood factor is back at Thrapston, says boss Walker

Action from Stewarts & Lloyds 2-1 defeat to Division One promotion rivals ON Chenecks last weekend. S&L did bounce back on Tuesday, however, as they claimed a 1-0 success at Long Buckby

Walker returned to the club in November after Richard Scott stood down and, with one defeat in their last 12 games, Thrapston are one of the form sides in UCL Division One.

Walker said: “When I left Desborough Town, it was with a heavy heart.

“But I know Thrapston, I know the club and felt I could achieve something here.

“I’ve only made a couple of signings (Ben Sunderland and Dodci Agbenu) and all I’ve really done is put a different slant on things.

“Defensively, we have been really good, Liam Fox is probably the best goalkeeper in the division and we are playing attacking football.

“We are playing with confidence now, passing the ball and dominating games.

“There’s a good feel around the place at the moment.

“We aren’t getting carried away, but if we can keep the confidence high, we are looking to finish the season well, keep the lads together and look to get promoted next season.

“It’s a tough league and there will be new teams coming in, but that has to be the aim.”

Thrapston this weekend head to a side in the hunt for promotion, Stewarts & Lloyds, and if his side are to challenge next season, Walker says they need to turn draws into wins.

Last Saturday, they drew 1-1 with Rushden & Higham United after Jack Wisniewski put them ahead.

And Walker added: “That’s been the story of our season.

“We need to start killing games off.

“We have drawn games we really should have won.

“I thought we were by far the better team against Rushden & Higham, but we just couldn’t get that second goal.”

S&L got their promotion challenge back on track on Tuesday night having lost 2-1 at home to second-placed ON Chenecks last weekend.

Michael Byrne was the hero as his goal sealed a 1-0 success at Long Buckby to move the Foundrymen back to within five points of Chenecks with two games in hand.

Elsewhere this weekend, sixth-placed Rushden & Higham take on Olney Town at Hayden Road while Raunds Town make the trip across the county to face Long Buckby.

Irchester United, whose derby clash at Burton Park Wanderers was postponed in midweek, will be aiming to halt a run of five successive defeats when they go to Buckingham Town.

Bottom side Wanderers are also on the road at fifth-placed Bourne Town.

Whitworth, who were big 7-2 winners over Wanderers last Saturday, have a basement battle at second-from-bottom Bugbrooke.