North West Counties League First Division North
Roy Mason says Steeton need a Dr Jekyll performance during the must-win Groundhop clash with fellow strugglers Ashton Town on Sunday morning.
Mr Hyde has been turning up on a too regular basis since the turn of the year and Steeton now find themselves in a relegation battle.
Mason admits Steeton cannot afford to lose in the 11.30am clash.
“It is must win game for us,” Mason told Non League Yorkshire.
“The last few performances have been nowhere near the standards we have set for ourselves.
“It has been really disappointing for us.
“In the last three away hames we have conceded 14 goals.
“It is a huge game for us really because if we get beat it puts us in a dangerous position and one we don’t want to be in.
“We have only won two games since the turn of the year.
“Once we got the Golcar game out of the way we looked at the fixtures and thought we were capable of getting something of each one.
“But we have been really poor.
“I think it is going to be early 40s we are going to need to be safe.
“We still need three to be safe.
“But we’re looking to next season because in my own experience, teams that finish a season well invariably start the next season well.”
Back in early January, Steeton looked set to push on and record a very respectable finish for their second full campaign in Non League Football.
Mason has been suprised by the collapse in form.
“No we didn’t think we would be in this position,” he said.
“As I said to you after the Golcar game (in January), our aim was to achieve our best finish and best points tally in the North West Counties.
“What is disappointing at the moment is I believe we have the squad of players we have ever had since we have been in the Counties.
“I’ve said to players last week that we’re too inconsistent.
“This sums it up quite aptly; a guy to watch us last Saturday and he’s watched us twice this season.
“He said ‘You’ve been the best side I’ve seen this season but also the worst side’.
“That sums up pretty much how we are – we’re so inconsistent and I think that is down to having so many young players.”
Marley Stadium will be busy tomorrow morning and Mason says it is a great occasion for his club.
“I would say maybe 250 to 300 we’re looking to get down,” he said.
“For us to be involved in it is fantastic.
“It gives the club extra exposure – there’ll be a bigger crowd and it gives a chance to make a bit of revenue.
“We’re selling more pin badges, programmes, replica shirts.
“It is important like the Bury game that people visiting us for the first time come away with a positive thought about Steeton.”