Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Wayne Benn says Frickley Athletic’s first league victory in five games has given his side a major lift.
Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Maltby Main was certainly morale-boosting and it ended a slump.
Benn now hopes his men – who head to Garforth Town (kick off 1.30pm) – can return to the way they started the campaign.
“I don’t think we are in must-win territory in November but ultimately you want to get out of these poor patches as quick as you can,” Benn told Non League Yorkshire.
“We have wanted to win every game but for one reason and another it hasn’t been happening.
“The performances haven’t been good enough (in recent weeks).
“The boys set good standards earlier in the season and maybe the start surprised a few people.
“If we had done it other way around by starting poorly and then getting progressively better then nobody would have been batting an eyelid because that’s what probably everyone expected to happen based on the fact we didn’t have one player (when we took over).
“(The win over Maltby) was a bit of a relief and we were well-worth the result.
“We could have been by more goals and more convincing.
“It was the best we have played for a few weeks and it will definitely boost morale and bring confidence back to the boys.
“But it is only one game and we’re not going to get carried away and we have a lot of hard work in front of us to start climbing the league to sit in a position which we feel is more reflective of what we have done so far this season.”
Frickley pulled off some stunning results in the opening two months – beating the likes of Penistone Church and Barton Town whilst also pushing runaway leaders North Ferriby all the way.
However, wins have been hard to come by since and one turning point was centre-half Brandon Murillo’s serious injury.
“I think we have missed Brandon and it is fair to say that upset us a little bit in the back four as we started to concede a few more goals because of that,” Benn said.
“I would half agree with you that that argument has some value.
“But we have other players in the squad who can defend properly.
“Ultimately our problem all season has been not defending one box properly and not scoring enough at the other end.
“Before the Ferriby game when we last spoke we had had a good start.
“We were outstanding against Ferriby and should have won that game, never mind lose it.
“For long periods we dominated.
“We have shown all season that when we are at it we can compete with anybody but equally we have shown the other side to us where we have lacked the consistency and the performances haven’t been good enough.
“In the last few weeks we haven’t deserved much more than we have got.
“Earlier in the season every single week I was feeling we should have got more out of each game.
“We had dominated games and it was a lack of a killer instinct in the final third that was stopping from having more points when we last spoke (before the Ferriby game).
“The over-riding feel from recently is frustration and that is out of knowing the players are better than what they are showing.”
Although October and November were disappointing, Benn remains realistic.
The former Ossett United chief was handed the task of managing his hometown club in June after the fallen giant had plummeted to its lowest ever league position after a disastrous 2021/22 season ended in relegation.
“I’m enjoying every minute of it,” he said.
“It is a real challenge which I knew it would be when I came in.
“You know the history and what we were up against initially.
“We have never panicked.
“It was always a job that required time and patience.
“I think in general most people have been realistic and really supportive so we can’t complain on that score.
“We’re trying to put foundations in place to go forward in the future and this season was always about consolidation and giving people belief that we can get this football club back on the right track.
“We have no doubt that we can get it to where it needs to be.”
Benn also added that he remains on the lookout for new faces.
The Blues boss has had a mini-recruitment drive in recent weeks and that proved successful with the additions of Josh Haigh, on loan York City defender Elliot Owen and dual-registered Bradford (Park Avenue) striker Lloyd Smith.
“Lloyd has started really well and is getting fitter game by game,” he said.
“We’re delighted with him at the moment.
“We brought in Josh Haigh last week.
“He has been playing for Dearne & District but he is part of our under 23s set-up.
“He’s someone I have worked with before at Ossett United.
“I know he has something to offer.
“We also brought in Elliot Owen on loan from York and he had an excellent start on Saturday.
“He’s the type of player we have been lacking defensively.
“We’re always actively looking.
“In numbers we have plenty but we are looking to add a touch more experience or quality in one-or-two areas.
“That search is ongoing.”