NPL Premier Division
Liversedge manager Jonathan Rimmington says legendary striker Joe Walton’s first start in two months has given his side a major lift.
Walton has rarely played from the start since August due to injury but he was back with a bang when he scored twice in the precious 2-1 win over fellow strugglers Guiseley last week.
“Joe Walton coming back is massive,” Rimmington told Non League Yorkshire.
“We have missed him massively.
“When you play a ball up to him it doesn’t come back.
“When you haven’t got anyone like that, it is a big miss.”
Second bottom ‘Sedge face another crunch fixture this weekend when 18th placed Whitby Town visit Clayborn.
Rimmington believes his side are preparing to go into the second half of the campaign in a better place so he does rank it as a six-pointer.
“I suppose it could be (a six-pointer) but at the end of the day there’s plenty of points to play and we are not even halfway through,” he said.
“We know about the league now as well so we’re in a better position than we were at the start of the season.
“We know the teams now.
“The thing with these teams is if you go attack them, they pick you off. Everyone.
“They all have ex-pros playing so you get picked off all over the place.
“It is a learning curve.
“It has been tough but it is what it is.
“We are where we are.
“It has been far tougher than we expected.
“The teams are better than we thought they would be.
“But remember I lost 60 goals in the summer.
“(Gav) Allott. (Ollie) Fearon, (Nicky) Walker, (Lewis) Whitham – the whole front-line.
“You lose that and what’s going to happen? You’re going to struggle aren’t you.”
Although times are tough, Rimmington is objective and admits his first campaign in charge (the 2015/16 season) was far harder.
“No, the first season was worse because we had no money, a bad pitch and no fans,” he said.
“Where we are now is totally different.
“The club is in a much better position.”
JR clearly the main reason Liversedge FC are where they are today