Evo Stik Division One South
There’s no pressure on Shaw Lane Aquaforce during the crunch clash with Stafford, insists Craig Elliott
The trip to runaway leaders Stafford is not a must-win game for Shaw Lane Aquaforce, insists Craig Elliott, who admits his side are down to the “bare bones”.
Over 1000 people are expected to head to Stafford’s Marston Road stadium for the battle of the promotion-chasing sides, four months on since Shaw Lane became the first team to beat Stafford this season.
Helped by few postponements, Stafford have built up a 23 point gap on Aquaforce, who can get within two points of them with their games-in-hand. That’s why tomorrow could have a big say on the rest of the season. Elliott doesn’t see it like that though.
“It is going to be a difficult match as we’re down to the bare bones,” Elliott said. “If you were Stafford, you would think it could be a good time to play us.
“I don’t think it is a must-win for game for us either. With the games-in-hand we have got we can still get within six or seven points of Stafford and that’s enough to put pressure on. I also remember Coalville a couple of years ago and having a 17 point lead at the top, but they finished second.
“There’s going to be a big crowd and it is a pressure game, but we’re good at these sort of games, as we proved many times last season. Pressure games are the also the reason we are at Shaw Lane because we want to win things.”
Shaw Lane only had two substitutes at Daventry Town last week because of recent departures and injury.
Goalkeeper Ian Deakin is definitely out tomorrow with an achilles injury. Club captain Matt Thornhill is 50/50 and so is star striker Gavin Allott (back). Midfielder Lee Bennett, one of Shaw Lane’s star performers this season, serves the final game of a three-match ban.