EV2 Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League Premier Division
Jon Wragg says a top five finish is within Ecclesfield Red Rose 1915’s grasp with seven games to go.
Red Rose are flying high in their first full season in the County Senior League top flight and they currently sit third.
Ecclesfield visit Nathan Simms’ Houghton Main tomorrow.
“I still think we need to be looking at the top six,” Wragg told Non League Yorkshire.
“I think there’s a chance of top five after the last few results.
“If we finished in the top four it would be remarkable.
“At the moment we’re third but if you look at the table Dodworth and Wakefield have a few games-in-hand.
“To reel in any of those sides would be difficult but that’s the challenge and it is not impossible.
“If we can do well in the last seven games then who knows?
“We have picked up 13 points out of the last 15.
“If a team collapses and loses form then potentially we could reel them in.
“I think realistically we’re fighting with Wombwell, Oughtibridge and Stocksbridge for fifth position.”
Ecclesfield underlined their top five credentials with the 3-0 victory at title contenders Penistone Church Reserves last Saturday.
A remarkable victory considering they took a 12 man squad.
“We played well despite having a bad injury crisis,” he said.
“We also lost a player in the morning as his son was poorly.
“We knew we had good quality in the side though.
“It was a good game and quite a few were watching and I think we deserved it.
“3-0 makes it sound more comfortable than what it was.
“The second and third goals were in the last five minutes.
“We scored in the first minute and Penistone put us a lot of pressure in the second half.
“We defended really well and hit them on the break at the end.
“It was a pleasing performance, especially considering how well Penistone have been doing.”
Wragg also confirmed the situation with Carlton Carty who played for Nottinghamshire-based side Ollerton Town in a recent midweek game at Hallam.
“They asked him to play against Hallam which he did and he did well,” he said.
“They did want him to play for the rest of the season but he’s said he is committed to us for the rest of the season.
“He’s said all along that he must have had five offers from NCEL Division One teams since pre-season.
“He has said all season that he wanted to play a full season in the County Senior with us.
“He has been true to his word.
“Almost certainly he’ll go in the summer to that level.
“He may possibly play for Ollerton in midweek but he’s certainly be playing with us on a Saturday.”