Market Drayton Town have three crucial games left to show manager Simon Line they can cope with his shock 12 match banishment to the stands by Shropshire FA for an outburst during the pre-season showpiece McGorian Cup final against Barwell.
Town have two home games - Brigg Town in the UniBond League south tomorrow and Kidsgrove in the UniBond President’s Cup on Tuesday - pus an FA Cup trip to Leamington Town the following Saturday before Line begins his suspension, on September 14.
Line, who declines to comment on what most pundits see as his harsh treatment by the county FA, sees the three-match run as a vital pointer to Town’s future.
Injury-plagued Drayton have made a great recovery from their 5-1 opening day defeat by Grantham Town, winning all four games since and reaching the dizzy heights of third place in the league.
But it’s been largely the strength of character in their patched up squad - typified by Saturday’s battling 1-0 FA Cup win at Stone Dynamoes - that’s carried them through.
And now, with more of last season’s regulars returning from the treatment table, Town face an important period of transition.
“It’s a vital time for us,” admits Line. “We need to keep the momentum going in the league while meeting the challenges of two very different knock out ties.
“The lads who have come into the side have done tremendously well. They’ve really battled away for the club and while we might now have to consider changes, we must keep that sort of spirit going for them.”
Duncan Horler, Nicky Porter and Paul Bowyer, who missed Saturday’s win at Stone, could all be fit for selection along with, hopefully, 83rd minute goalscorer Grant Goodhead, Paul McMullen and Jason Francis, who all picked up knocks in that clash.
Town will need their most experienced side against Brigg, who come to Greenfields with their confidence boosted by wins over Lincoln United (2-1) and Spalding (4-0) after four poor opening performances, including a 5-1 hammering by Leek Town.
Like many sides Town are now facing, the Linconshire Zebras can boast a distinguished and successful history, having twice won the FA Vase while also achieving fame as FA Cup fighters.
“Like us, they are obviously on a roll so it’s got the makings of a really good game,” added Line.
Tuesday’s President’s Cup tie with Kidsgrove Athletic (7.45pm) is a local derby in UniBond terms, and then it’s off to Leamington for Line’s last touchline appearance for a dozen games.
That might be worth the trip alone - and Town are running a bus too.
For details, contact chairman Mutch on 07711 642501 or Clive Jones on 07971 403538.
Leamington can attract upwards of 700 for a cup tie so the atmosphere will be a vast improvement on Saturday’s at Stone, where neither side were at their best.
The goal itself was a fine finish, struck from distance by Grant Goodhead, but neither side could cope with a stiff wind and, perhaps, the pressure of playing for a £1,500 prize pot.
No Town player could really be faulted for lack of effort individually but the harder they tried, the worse things got collectively.
There were some nuggets of individual skill, notably from the in-form Town keeper Andy Pryce,defensive lynchpins McMullen, Goodhead and Francis and newcomer Jay Lawrence, who had his best game yet on the left flank.
l Meanwhile Town are desperate to make a new signing - for the Greenfields clubhouse.
Changes at the sports ground mean Town now need to run their own bar on matchdays, and they are looking for someone to organise and run it.
“Essentially, the job involves stocking and being behind the bar for home games on alternate Saturdays, and for our midweek fixtures, which are usually on Tuesday evenings,” said Town’s chairman Alex Mutch.
Those interested in the job can call him on 07711642501 or contact match secretary Clive Jones on 07971403538.
