20/02/2023
By Chris Gibbs
Keeping up the good work…
What a difference one game can make.
Prior to Saturday we were looking over our shoulders anxiously at the chasing pack, and while we are a long way from being able to relax about our league position, we know that a win at Witton Albion on Tuesday could catapult us into the top half of the table.
The team had a fresher look to it on Saturday with debutants Joe Thompson and Luke Walsh coming in to provide fresh impetus to the squad. Having said that, it was an old stalwart – sorry James not that old of course! – who set us on our way with the opening goal at Bootle.
So, despite still being only two places above the relegation play-off places – as we were before our win on Saturday – we are closer in points terms to 1874 Northwich in 7th than Glossop in 17th.
The reverse fixture for this game was a 1-1 draw on the opening day of the season – a game which at the time was difficult to read too much into both for the early part of the season it came in but also as our opponents were new to the league.
Witton would probably say they have slightly underperformed in their Northern Premier League West debut season and come into this game off the back of a very disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to Widnes – a team that looked dead and buried a month ago but suddenly look very capable of avoiding the drop.
This is our last away game before a run of three consecutive home matches which provide a real opportunity to start moving back up the table.
It truly is incredible the difference one game can make.
Come on ‘Castle!