North West Counties League First Division North
Simon Armstrong admits if Ilkley Town win at promotion-chasing Golcar United tomorrow then it would rank as an upset.
The clash is Ilkley’s second toughest battle so far in Non League Football behind the opening day clash with leaders Bury AFC and Armstrong is well-aware the odds are stacked against them.
“Golcar’s home form is exceptional and they’ve hardly conceded any goals at home and they’ve scored plenty,” Armstrong told Non League Yorkshire.
“It is a fortress for them so to go there and get a result is an incredibly difficult thing to do.
“It is a massive challenge for us and the biggest test for us since the opening day.
“(If we did win) I think it would be an important win for us.
“I think our biggest win was the first one when we beat Darwen, only because we had lost the previous five and it was the moment where everyone realised we were more than capable (of playing at this level).
“To beat Golcar away would be a huge result for us and an upset simply because they are second in the table and because of their home form.
“We’re 17th in the table at the moment and our away form is one of the worst in the league at the moment.
“From that perspective it would be a shock (result).”
Ilkley will face two of the league’s top three goal-scorers in Ash Flynn and Daniel Naidole.
Flynn has scored 23 times whereas Naidole has hit 17.
Flynn scored all of Golcar’s four goals in the midweek defeat of AFC Darwen and Armstrong knows his defence have an almighty challenge on their hands.
“They are both prolific and very strong for the level and a proven track record at levels above,” he said.
“It is a huge test for us defensively but that’s how we learn.
“We have a young back four but it is a competent and effective back four that is going to get better.
“Those players may punish us on Saturday, however, in the longer term, what the players learn from that will stand them in good stead (for the future).
“The back four has done really well this season and I think the average age is 19 and they’re going to get better.
“It is a massive test for them but they’ll relish that.
Ilkley currently sit third-bottom due to Cleator Moor’s resurgent but Armstrong says the situation could easily change because little separates the top five and the bottom three.
“It is a bit of a strange one if you look at the league, it is incredibly tight,” he said.
“St Helens are still quite a bit off but they have signed seven new players recently.
“They have invested in their squad and it wouldn’t surprise me if Cleator Moor have done the same given the situation were in.
“They’ve started to pick up form and a bit of momentum.
“I just look at the table and if you win three games on the bounce you’re not far off play-offs.
“If you lose three games on the bounce you’re not far off relegation.
“That’s how tight the league is at the minute.
“Anybody can beat anybody at this time, maybe with the exception of Bury and Golcar.”