Toolstation NCEL Division One
Pontefract Collieries manager Craig Parry
Pontefract Collieries manager Craig Parry expects the promotion race to be decided in the final few games.
The Colls propelled themselves up to second place with the crucial win over leaders AFC Emley last Saturday. It took them above Penistone Church, who they face tomorrow in another big game.
“I think this league this year is very strange and I think between Emley, ourselves, Penistone, Hall Road, Grimsby, Hallam, things will change week-to-week,” Parry told Non League Yorkshire.
“Emley are pulled right back into the teams around. I’m sure there were a few teams delighted with the result on Saturday.
“I know there’s been a few jokes said about pressure on Emley after what I said in that interview last week, but it was meant as a whole to all six sides involved.
“Whoever holds their nerve will get in the top two because there is nothing between any sides. Believe me it will go to the very wire.
“If Emley had won, they would have been very hard to catch.
“They now have to hold their nerve, like we have because we have a tough game against Penistone and we have to hold our nerve.
“I’m sure there will be a few more twists and turns tomorrow. There’ll be shock results. It is the way it is going be for the rest of the season.”
Parry also admitted he did not want his players going overboard with the celebrations after the Emley victory. The Colls players kept them to a minimum.
“We said before the game that it was just another game and we said it again at the end,” he added.
“I will not allow us to get carried away.
“What the win does is give us a bit of breathing space, but we want to win this league so we need to keep picking up results.”