Toolstation NCEL Division One
Hallam manager Ryan Hindley
Ryan Hindley admits that Hallam’s promotion hopes are looking much brighter.
Only two weeks ago, Hindley told Non League Yorkshire that his side needed a monumental effort to get into the top two following two straight league defeats.
Although it is still a tall order, Hallam can take belief from the fact that some of the teams above them have to face each other.
Hallam responded to those two defeats with two wins and a draw and Hindley said: “I look at it and see that we have conceded two goals in three games and scored seven and if we continue in the same vein of form then we’ll have every chance.
“I’m cautiously optimistic about the next few weeks. I have set ourselves a target of six points out of the next three so hopefully we can get something.
“You never know about (finishing in) the top two. There is some tough fixtures coming up for everyone and they are fixtures you want to be part of.
“Every game is a cup final for all the top seven or eight. It is about the teams who put runs together.
“We’re unbeaten in three and we’re getting most of our players back. Mikey (Blythen) is getting valuable minutes, Kieran (Watson) is looking clinical and we have other players coming back.
“I’m happy with how we are as a squad. It has been nice to name the same side, barring one change in the last three games. It is why I think we have put a bit of a run together.
“We did not like conceding against Dronfield. We looked strong and solid against Campion and against Yorkshire Amateur, we slipped and conceded two soft goals.
“But I would have taken those results. If someone had told me that we would keep two clean sheets, concede two goals and get seven points, I would take that.”
Hindley has also praised his second top goal-scorer Tom Roebuck.
“In Tom we have a player who gets you 20 goals a season, whether he plays in centre-back, centre-midfield or centre-forward,” he added.
“He is a very competent player. He wins headers, scores goals. There’s not many players who can play in so many positions.
“He’s worth his weight in gold and we’ll miss him when he serves his two-game suspension.”
Hallam face play-offs rivals Knaresborough Town tomorrow.