Time to bounce back at Clitheroe
Home defeat to Stalybridge was a bit of an anti-climax after the high of winning at leaders Kidsgrove, but as is always the way, the chance to get back on the horse is never far away. And the horse in this case is the in-form Clitheroe who lie four places and four points ahead of us in third place in the league table.
The Lancastrians are in decent form – unbeaten in their last five league games – having scored 15 goals in that run. But as we’ve shown ourselves, scoring goals is not a problem for us either and we’ll be confident of continuing that run tomorrow.
Dan Cockerline has really hit his straps with four goals in quick time since signing from Nantwich in September and the captaincy has had a great impact on Tommy van der Laan’s goal-scoring output, who leads the way at the club this season with five and hopefully will be fit to start tomorrow having been forced off at half-time last weekend with an ankle injury.
Though the highly versatile Jack Derbyshire did a sterling job in filling in for Josh Jordan last week, having the man from Brigg returning from suspension in the centre half position with his old mucker Kyle Stubbs lends a feeling of greater solidity at the back.
The two of them have been a terrific plus this season and will be tested tomorrow physically against Clitheroe centre forward Sefton Gonzalez and his free-scoring teammates.
With Kingsley Adu Ghamfi having signed from Kidsgrove, it has also been time to make some changes in the squad. Lewis Holdham, who has really impressed in limited game time with us has joined Eccleshall on loan for two months to get more exposure to first team football.
The same can also be said for the two Louis, Lake and Holden. The latter was really unlucky in getting injured in the first game of the season at Romulus, while the former was struggling for minutes with Stubbsy and Josh performing so consistently.
To Louis, Lewis and Louis – good luck to all of you.
Our away from has been impressive this season winning the last three on our travels and with us having a free week next Saturday it’s important to keep on the fringes of the play-off positions in what is a very competitive league.
Come on Castle!