In-form Desborough hope to recruit

Bradshaw is set to talk to a player today and if all goes well, he could be involved this weekend.

The Ar Tarn manager is trying to strengthen a side who have taken 17 points from their last eight UCL Premier Division games, losing just once.

Last weekend, Marvin Hill, Jake Bettles and Jason Turner were on target in a 3-1 win at Boston Town.

Bradshaw said he “wasn’t happy with the way Boston conducted themselves in the second half”.

But he added: “We weren’t intimidated, we stuck together and played within the rules of the game.

“When I came here, I wanted us to be harder to beat and to be able to put runs together.

“That’s starting to happen now.

“We have brought players in, changed things a bit and it’s worked, but there’s still plenty of work to be done.”

Wisbech are also on a good run with one loss in their last five games.

Earlier this season, they snatched a draw against Desborough with an injury-time strike in what was Bradshaw’s first game in charge of the club.

He said: “Wisbech have some very good players and I don’t know why they are where they are in the table.

“They were the favourites to win the league at the start of the season.

“But, for whatever reason, that hasn’t happened.

“They are still a good side and we need to be at our best.”

Wellingborough Town boss Jon Mitchell has issued a warning his players before crucial back-to-back games against Northampton Spencer.

Defeat at home to Wisbech Town last weekend put the Doughboys in the Premier Division drop zone and left Mitchell fuming.

The Dog & Duck chief said: “There just wasn’t enough energy and commitment. These lacklustre performances have to stop.

“If we want to stay up, we have to put the work in week in, week out and not just when we feel like it.

“We played the same system and had more or less the same team we’ve had out in recent weeks, but for whatever reason, we didn’t turn up against Wisbech.

“We told the players to close Rob Hughes down and not let him shoot, but within 10 minutes, he had scored.

“The lads’ heads dropped a bit and they started blaming each other.”

Mitchell has called for a reaction from his players against Spencer.

The Doughboys head to Kingsthorpe Mill on Saturday before hosting Spencer on Tuesday night.

Mitchell believes his players are good enough to keep the Doughboys in the Premier Division and added: “It’s still in our own hands.

“We have a game in hand on Oadby and still have to play Sileby Rangers.”

Rothwell Corinthians boss Shaun Sparrow has given his players a massive vote of confidence.

On Saturday, Corinthians head to Sleaford Town and they welcome Holbeach United to Seargents Lawn on Tuesday.

But Sparrow, who saw his side draw with Cogenhoe in midweek, said: “It really doesn’t matter who we play.

“If we deliver what we are capable of delivering, we have a chance against anyone.

“We don’t fear anyone.

“We have matched some of the best teams in the league.

“We know we have the talent and now we have to knuckle down, show our character and see how many points we can pick up.”

Corinthians were denied maximum points at Seargents Lawn on Tuesday night by a last-gasp goal.

Rob Foster put them ahead in the 74th minute, but an injury-time strike grabbed the Cooks a point.

Sparrow said: “It was a shame for the lads. They deserved more, but these things happen sometimes.

“The most important thing for me was the performance was there and to get a point against Cogenhoe isn’t a bad result.

“There are lots more positives to take from the result than negatives.

“I told the lads afterwards not to be down. If we continue to produce performances like that, we will pick up points.”

Sparrow reports his side didn’t pick up any knocks against Cogenhoe and that Ryan Goodband and Andy Wright will soon be back in contention for a starting place.

Rushden & Higham United boss Dale Brunton reckons there are good times ahead at Hayden Road.

Brunton admits the Lankies are unlikely to snatch promotion from UCL Division One this season.

But he believes everything is in place for next season.

The Lankies have never played in the Premier Division since being formed in 2007, but Brunton said: “We’re not here to be also rans.

“We wouldn’t be doing the job if we only wanted to be a mid-table side.

“The target is promotion and the club is in good shape.

“The reserves are flying and the under-18s are going well.

“The next three or four years could be very good for us.

“I’ve been with the club for four or five years now and I’ve never known us to be in a better place.”

The Lankies have never finished higher than fifth in Division One and could better that this season.

Brunton said: “Second place might be beyond us now, but we want to finish as strong as we can.

“We finished 13th last season, so to finish in the top six this time with no budget would be a fantastic achievement.

“We want to finish as high as we can and qualify for the FA Cup and FA Vase.That’s the target for us.

“Winning a game or two in those competitions can support a club like ours.”

On Saturday, Rushden head to champions-elect Peterborough Sports fearing a backlash.

Sports had their 100 per cent start to the season ended by a 3-0 defeat at Long Buckby last week and one defeat brought two as they then went down 2-1 at promotion-chasing Stewarts & Lloyds on Tuesday night.

And Brunton added: “They are a very good side, but these are the games you want to play in.

“They beat us 3-0 at home earlier this season, but we had a string of chances and their goalkeeper made some really good saves.”

That superb victory for Stewarts & Lloyds over the runaway leaders at Occupation Road, which came courtesy of two goals from Michael Byrne, moved them to within four points of second-placed ON Chenecks ahead of Saturday’s trip to Potton United.

Thrapston Town head to Long Buckby this weekend after they beat local rivals Raunds Town 3-1 in midweek thanks to Dodzi Agbenu, Jedd Whiteman and Jack Wisniewski.

The Shopmates, who had Nat Gosnal-Tyler on target, travel to Chenecks on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Irchester United will aim to hit back from their 3-0 midweek loss at Buckby when they head to Bourne Town.

Bottom side Burton Park Wanderers are on the road at Blackstones while Whitworth have home advantage against Olney Town.