Walker hopes Thrapston can bounce back in big derby clash

Thrapston have endured an inconsistent campaign so far and currently sit in mid-table.

Having put a run of just one defeat in seven league matches together, Walker admitted his team “crashed and burned” in last weekend’s 3-0 home defeat to Bourne Town.

He is now seeking a positive response under the lights of Kiln Park tomorrow, although he is well aware that it will be a stern test for his players.

The Shopmates maintained their lofty position in the table, despite being held to a 1-1 draw by Melton Town last Saturday.

And Walker said: “It’s going to be tough for us.

“At the moment, the polite way to say it is that we are struggling to find some consistency and we are struggling to put a big run together.

“It’s frustrating because we had only lost one in seven in the league before Saturday but we crashed and burned at home, which was disappointing.

“So I am looking for us to bounce back. It’s a local derby, there should be a big crowd and we will need to step up because Raunds are going well and are top of the league.

“We are one of those teams who, when we are good we are really good and when we are bad, we are really awful.

“I just hope the good side of the team shows itself against Raunds and it will need to if we are going to get anything from the game.”

The only midweek action saw Irchester United slip to a 2-1 defeat at Potton United with Jared Harewood bringing the Romans level at 1-1, only for a late goal to condemn them to defeat.

Irchester will hope to bounce back when they take on Harrowby United at Alfred Street tomorrow (Saturday).

There is a local derby at Occupation Road as rock-bottom Stewarts & Lloyds entertain Rushden & Higham United and Burton Park Wanderers have home advantage as they take on Bugbrooke at Latimer Park.

Desborough Town maintained their top-five position in the UCL Premier Division as they fought back to earn a 1-1 draw at Cogenhoe United on Tuesday night.

Trailing 1-0 at Compton Park, Olly Jones grabbed the equaliser for Ar Tarn with 20 minutes to go but they were unable to find a winner.

Elsewhere in midweek, Whitworth went down 2-0 at sixth-placed Eynesbury Rovers and Wellingborough Town lost 3-1 to Holbeach United at the Dog & Duck.

Mark Pryor grabbed the Doughboys’ goal from the penalty spot after Joe Rich had been fouled.

Meanwhile, Rothwell Corinthians’ interest in the Knockout Cup was ended after they lost 2-0 to Premier Division leaders Leicester Nirvana at Sergeants Lawn.

This weekend sees Desborough facing a tough trip to Wisbech Town while Whitworth are also on the road as they make the short journey across the county to take on Cogenhoe.

Corinthians will be hoping they can halt a run of four defeats in a row in all competitions when they entertain ON Chenecks and Wellingborough are also back on home soil as they take on bottom side Oadby Town.