Toolstation NCEL Division One
Craig Denton says Hallam cannot look too far ahead of themselves as the title race hots up.
Attention is slowly turning towards the crunch battle between Hallam and North Ferriby on the 12th March.
That could be a pivotal day but Denton’s only focus is on Ollerton Town and Selby Town.
“If we (win our next two games) and if we can beat Ferriby it gives us the opportunity to go six points clear,” Denton told Non League Yorkshire.
“I know we’re talking a lot about the Ferriby game but we have a couple more games before then in Ollerton and Selby.
“I don’t want to be disrespectful to those two teams before we play Ferriby.
“We need to really concentrate on Tuesday night and put in a performance at home.”
Hallam host Ollerton this evening a few days on since the narrow 2-1 win at Glasshoughton Welfare – a display Denton was unimpressed with.
“We can’t drop any points before we play Ferriby and after we play Ferriby,” he said.
“We just need to keep winning.
“When we come up against Ferriby we know it is going to be a really tough game.
“They may feel they are three points behind but there are still loads of games to go.
“We have to really shake ourselves up after the (Glasshoughton) performance and if we don’t we may come unstuck.
“But if play how we can in the next three or four weeks we should be looking to really kick on.
“I felt (Glasshoughton) was a step-back even though we got the three points.
“We can’t put in a performance like the (the Glasshoughton Welfare performance) again.
“I don’t think that was the worst this season but we weren’t Hallam.
“We’ll have similar (tight) games between now and the end of the season and we have depth in the squad to be able to stand up and take those.
“But I’m disappointed.
“We’re used to being on the front-foot and we just wasn’t (at Glasshoughton).
“But testament to Glasshoughton because I thought they worked really hard and made it difficult for us.”
Denton expects Ollerton to pose a threat to his side this evening.
“There’s a lot of lads from Sheffield who play for Ollerton, a lot of ex-Swallownest players,” he said.
“I know the assistant manager Lee (Needham) there and I think it’ll be another tough game.
“We really need to pull our socks up and put in a better performance than we did at Glasshoughton.
“Ollerton have just got Luke Francis from Worsbrough and we know what he’s all about – he can either play centre-half or upfront.
“They have Sam Stretton, the centre-midfielder who gets around the pitch and is athletic.
“They have a good player in Ollie Grady in centre-midfield who is a great little tactician.
“We have to keep them quiet and concentrate on ourselves.
“If we do what we’re good at then we will put teams to bed.
“If we give teams chances then we’ll make it difficult for ourselves.”