Evo Stik Division One South
Stocksbridge Park Steels manager Chris Hilton
Stocksbridge Park Steels manager Chris Hilton knows that the festive period is a crucial time in the race for the play-offs.
After falling into the mid-table areas, the Steels have fought their way back into contention for the top five following two consecutive home victories – over Northwich Victoria and a very poor Stamford side.
Between Boxing Day and the 7th January, Stocksbridge face Chasetown (home), Gresley (away), Sheffield FC (away) and Newcastle Town (home) and Hilton is well aware his side need a good return of points.
“We definitely drifted away from the play-offs zone,” he told Non League Yorkshire.
“We said to the players before Saturday’s game that we have six games before the 7th January and we need to be winning four or five of those to be in-and-around the play-offs.
“That’s because if you go into the middle of January trying to play catch-up, it is hard work.
“We have won two and there’s four to go. It is pleasing that we have got back-to-back wins, but there is a lot of hard work to do.
“We had the FA Trophy run again and like last year our form has dipped after it for whatever reason.
“Now we just need to put a run together and we’re more than capable of doing that. I think we will do that.”
The two home wins also ended a poor run at Bracken Moor and Hilton gave his thoughts on the two displays.
“I think we went six or seven league games without winning at home, which wasn’t worrying, but frustrating as last season we were strong at home,” he added.
“Now we have won back-to-back games at home. It wasn’t the greatest display against Northwich as we scraped through the second half when we should have been out of sight by half-time.
“It was a fantastic performance against Stamford. We didn’t start off too brightly for 20 minutes, I thought we were sluggish, but after that I thought we were excellent.
“I thought we moved the ball well and the football we played in the second half was more the Stocksbridge of last season.”
Leaders Shaw Lane AFC host Kidsgrove Athletic.