Evo Stik South
After a stint in defence, striker Scott Ruthven is now playing in midfield for Stocksbridge
Stocksbridge Park Steels manager Chris Hilton has hailed stand-in midfielder Scott Ruthven for his commitment to the cause.
The striker has played full games in defence, midfield and attack for the Steels since the season began because of injuries.
He has done so without moaning and Hilton paid tribute to the goal-scorer who has enjoyed a great partnership with key man Joe Lumsden since November 2015.
“Scott’s very versatile and he’s now played three games in the centre of midfield,” Hilton told Non League Yorkshire.
“He’s a team-player. Although he has said he want to play up front, he’s doing his bit because he wants to the team to win games.
“He’s played three games in midfield and in the first game I thought he was man of the match.”
Stocksbridge, who are unbeaten in four games, host Leek Town tonight at Bracken Moor.
Hilton believes Stocksbridge can be content with their points tally so far when you consider the sides they have faced so far. The Steels drew 2-2 with Alvechurch on Saturday.
“A week’s a long time in football, we took seven points in a week and then we got a point again on Saturday,” he said.
“Although we should have closed the game out against Alvechurch, all in all we have taken eight points out of the last four games after losing our first three.
“If you look at who we have played, we haven’t played any of the so-called weaker sides. They have all been sides who are going to up there.
“The league is stronger this year. I thought the league was stronger last year than the previous one and now it is again.
“Some of the clubs who have come up are big clubs like Cleethorpes, Peterborough. Alvechurch won the treble last year.
“We’ve four games unbeaten so that’s the big plus.”
Todd Jordan is rated 50/50 over whether he will appear tonight. Ryan Carroll remains injured.
Summer signing Luke Mangham is now waiting for operation so will be out for a number of month, Hilton has confirmed.
On Jordan, Hilton said: “Todd Jordan got injured in training last Thursday by tweaking his groin so we didn’t want to risk him on Saturday.
“We’ll assess him again today.”