Craig Elliott says Shaw Lane Aqauforce have to be happy going into the New Year
Craig Elliott believes Shaw Lane Aquaforce have to be “happy” going into the New Year.
Aquaforce are on cloud nine following the spectacular 3-2 win over favourites Shildon in the FA Vase third round on Wednesday night at Oakwell.
Shaw Lane are third in the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division table – seven points behind leaders Tadcaster Albion, but with two games in hand and Elliott said: “I think it is wide open.
“I think there is five or six teams that can realistically win the league and we’re one of them.
“I just want to get some league matches under our belts.
“We’re halfway though the season, we’re having a great run in the FA Vase and we’re still in with a chance of winning the league so we have to be happy.”
Until Wednesday night, Aquaforce had endured an 18-day break because of the long running saga over the Shildon cup tie.
Last time out in the league, Shaw Lane annihilated Glasshoughton Welfare 12-0 and Elliott does admit that it has been “tough” recently because of the postponements.
“It has been tough because we haven’t had any games and it is difficult to keep the motivation up in training knowing that this big game is coming up.
“It has been difficult, but there has been a happy ending.
“We’re also massively aiming to win the league as well so I don’t want to distract away from that.
“After Wednesday my attention turned to what is a difficult match tomorrow.”
Handsworth Parramore are the “difficult” opposition when they head to Sandy Lane tomorrow.
Elliott added: “I think it is going to be tough because they are a good team and we had a physically demanding game on Wednesday.
“It is a quick turnaround so I have to assess a few knocks.”