Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League Premier Division
Gabe Mozzini admits Wakefield AFC’s season is ending on an exciting note and he has called for big attendances for their two remaining home games.
Four straight wins have meant Wakefield have come from nowhere to join the title race alongside leaders Swinton Athletic and third-placed Dodworth Miners Welfare.
If they win their final six matches then Wakefield will be champions.
Mozzini knows the task is a tall order though but he is hoping fans get behind his side for the final furlongs.
“At the last home game (against Jubilee Sports) we had more than 200 supporters in our stadium,” Mozzini told Non League Yorkshire.
“Now we have two home games left, one against Dodworth which is clearly an important game and then the last game is against Oughtibridge on May 7th.
“We’re working really hard to get hundreds of people there.
“I don’t think the fans have been as excited as they are now because we are in a very strong position to compete.
“I’m not going to say we are likely to win the title, it is hard to know, but we’re clearly in a strong position to compete at the moment and I think the fans react to that in a positive way.
“We have six games left and thanks to Wombwell, for the first time this season we are in a position where we win our (remaining games) we will win the title.
“But, look, our chances are hard to tell.
“Swinton have been the best team in the league so far and they have been the most consistent team – winning week after week.
“We have to play Dodworth again. When we played them two weeks ago we won in 87th minute.
“Their number ten (Danny Barlow) scored two amazing free kicks.
“We also have four games in ten days.
“We play Saturday-Monday-Wednesday-Monday again so it depends on a number of factors.
“It depends on how well we do.
“It depends on how many injuries we get in those games but I’m just happy that we are in a position where we could win the title without having to rely on the results of other teams.”
The final six games begin with a trip to North Gawber on Wednesday night (kick off 6.15pm).
Stocksbridge Park Steels Reserves away is followed by the home clash with Dodworth.
Trips to Swinton and Wombwell Main are bookended by the home game against Ougtibridge War Memorial.
Whilst excitement levels are rising, Mozzini is keen to keep his side grounded as their final six matches are tricky.
“We have six tough games,” he said.
“We have Wombwell who have this young side (who are doing well).
“We have North Gawber on Wednesday and they’ve brought their old players back.
“They are definitely stronger now than they were at the beginning of the season when we beat them 5-0.
“It is not the same side.
“I don’t want to make any assumptions because in this league, there is no easy games.
“We have dropped points against Stocksbridge and Houghton Main so all teams can take points away from you and I think that’s why this league is so exciting.”
The battle with resurgent North Gawber will be far from easy and Mozzini feels he knows what to expect.
“Whenever I can go watch games I go,” he said.
“For example, (our last opponents) High Green Villa, I went to watch them against Sheffield Town last week.
“I didn’t have a chance to watch North Gawber but I have talked to other managers and coaches and what they all say is they are very physical.
“They’ve said ‘mate, get ready, it will be really physical’.
“Our lads respond alright, they don’t get intimidated usually when the game gets physical.
“At the same time, a physical game is not in our advantage usually because we have quick players with skill and pace so we try to stay away from a physical game.
“We’re expecting a physical game.”