Pontefract joint boss Nicky Handley says they will attack Shaw Lane Aquaforce from the first whistle tomorrow
More of the same lads is the message from Pontefract Collieries joint manager Nicky Handley ahead of the eagerly anticipated visit of Shaw Lane Aquaforce tomorrow.
Both teams need a victory – Collieries want to haul themselves back into the promotion race, while Aquaforce need three points as they are trying to break into the top two.
Collieries did Aquaforce a good turn on Wednesday night by beating fellow Toolstation NCEL Division One promotion-chasers Cleethorpes Town 4-0 at Skinner Lane.
Ponte’s tactics worked a treat – the same ones that are set to be deployed again for third-placed Shaw Lane and Handley says the pressure is on Aquaforce.
“I wouldn’t say we’re back in the race for promotion just yet,” said Handley, who holds the manager’s position alongside Duncan Bray.
“Saturday is a big game and if we got a result and it’s a big if, we would look again. But we’re still a long way off and won’t give up.
“Saturday is a big game that we want to win and we won’t hold back. We’ll be encouraging the lads in the same way (as Wednesday) and we’ll see what it brings.
“I think Shaw Lane in the position they are in definitely need that win more than us. But I know Craig Elliott and he’s not a daft lad and he’ll know that he won’t be coming here and attacking us from the off and risk it.
“He’ll have his game-plan and I would say they need it more than us. They’re in the driving seat and we did them a massive favour (on Wednesday).
“I got a text off their chairman (Craig Wood on Wednesday) saying ‘do us a favour’ and we did that, but let’s be honest on Saturday we will be looking to knock them back.”
Goalkeeper Craig Parry is expected to return between the sticks after missing the Cleethorpes game because of work commitments.
Josh Corbett can play because his one-match suspension for his red card against Cleethorpes comes into effect in a couple of weeks’ time.
Shaw Lane boss Craig Elliott says the visit to Pontefract Collieries will be a good game for neutrals
Liam Radford will also be available. Radford has been struggling with an ankle injury.
If Radford plays he will be facing his old Glasshoughton Welfare and Ossett Town manager Craig Elliott.
Elliott will be taking charge of Aquaforce for only the third time since being appointed over two weeks ago.
He watched Ponte’s victory on Wednesday and said: “I said a few weeks ago that every game is a big game and both teams want to win.
“I think it will be a good game for the neutral to watch. I have a lot of respect of Ponte. I’ve watched them a few times and had a lot of their players played for me at Ossett and they’re good players so it will be a difficult match.
“They played very well on Wednesday and deserved to win so I’m expecting a difficult match tomorrow.”