PLAYER-MANAGER James Robbins has challenged his Alcester Town side to maintain their superb form “right to the death” of the Midland League Division Three campaign.
A hard fought 3-2 victory at bottom side AFC Solihull on Saturday was a third league win in a row and lifted Town into fourth place – just two points behind second placed FC Stratford – as they prepare to visit mid-table Shipston Excelsior on Saturday.
Robbins said: “I’m expecting another tough test on Saturday. Shipston have had a good first season after coming up and have shown they are capable of taking points off sides at the top of the division.
“We must be on our game, their pitch isn’t the best or the biggest, so we must adapt and be willing to roll our sleeves up and fight for the points.
“I know that is one of the characteristics we possess and we have seen that many times already this season.
“There are ten games left, 30 points to play for. We have put ourselves in a strong position for the final third of the season and it’s up to us to carry on putting points on the board and see where it takes us.
“The lads have been magnificent for the last four or five months but it’s a big push now to finish strongly and carry on our good run of form right to the death.”
Alcester took a first half lead on Saturday when Matt Trinder steered home Steve Nurse’s pass, but the home side hit back in the second half to lead 2-1 as the visitors struggled to find any momentum.
However, Town levelled when Matt Layton sent Nurse through on goal and he lifted the ball over the keeper before a late winner arrived when league top scorer Layton headed home after captain Mark Briggs’ delivery had been helped on by substitute Jeff Henry.
Central defender Adam Trinder faces a fitness test before the Shipston game but is hoping to be fit after missing the last five matches with a hamstring strain, although fellow defender Chris Hill is unavailable. Nick Dance returns to the squad having been unavailable for the last two matches.
