Garforth Town manager Graham Nicholas (left) expects his team to rise to the occasion at Tadcaster on Saturday
Graham Nicholas expects his out of form Garforth Town side to rise to the occasion in the big local derby with table-toppers Tadcaster Albion on Saturday.
Garforth’s season has hit the buffers in recent weeks with the Miners yet to win during October and face a huge test against the star-studded Toolstation NCEL Premier Division leaders.
Town lost 4-1 at Cleethorpes Town last night – with midfielder Luke Mangham having to play in goal during the second half – but Nicholas is hopeful of the bad run ending at i2i Stadium in two days’ time.
“We will have players back for Saturday and I’ll have a nice dilemma,” he told Non League Yorkshire.
“Its another game and we are going through a bit of a rut, but what a way to get out of it than a local derby.
“There should be massive interest in the game because the message at the start of the season was that I believe in my squad and that they are good enough to win the league.
“The reason why it isn’t happening is the same as last season and that’s the lack of consistency.
“The players who will be playing on Saturday, I’m sure will step up and will be eager to please and do the club proud.”
The defeat at Cleethorpes was a night to forget for Garforth, who found themselves 4-0 down after 35 minutes.
Nicholas added: “It was very disappointing to lose and to lose in the manner we did.
“The first half performance wasn’t good enough. From a positive point of view, there were some very good individual performances.
“There were one or two individual performances that I was very disappointed with and they have lost their chance now.
“We made the changes at half-time and moved players in various positions and looked to get them on the counter attack.
“Our team shape was much better. We have learnt a lot.”
Nicholas will have an almost complete squad available. Club captain Andy Hawksworth is still away, but Nick Black will definitely return.
Look out for the views of Garforth Town chairman Brian Close tomorrow morning on the eagerly-anticipated derby clash.