Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League Division One
Title-chasing Wombwell Town manager Karl Rose wants his men clinch their ‘elusive’ promotion tomorrow and then turn their attention to going up as champions.
A point against top three rivals Denaby Main, who themselves are in a win or bust situation, will propel them into the top flight.
The title is Wombwell’s to lose as if they win all four remaining games they pip South Kirkby Colliery and Handsworth Reserves to top spot.
Victory at Handsworth last weekend has set up the scenario and Rose believes in his men.
“We’ll celebrate on Saturday if we do get promotion, but we’ll quickly turn our thoughts to next Saturday as we’re not just going to be happy with promotion,” Rose told Non League Yorkshire.
“We want to go and win the league.
“We have put ourselves in a position where it is more than achievable.
“We have four obstacles to get past to achieve it.
“I’ve never said to the boys that we’d be just happy with promotion.
“We set our sights out to go and win the league.
“I’ll be happy if we do go and do it.
“It wouldn’t be a relief (to win promotion) because I’ve always had complete confidence in the lads’ ability and hopefully they’ll deliver on what we wanted to achieve.
“Destiny is in our own hands.
“Last week’s win at Handsworth was huge as we had the same record, but their goals difference was far superior to us.
“That was a huge step.
“We have to try and win every game between now and the end of the season.
“We need three wins and a draw and it is in hands.”
The former Frickley Athletic manager hopes to see a large attendance for the massive occasion.
“It would be great to see a bumper crowd down there to cheer us on to the result we want and over the line,:” he said.
“I think it has got to be (the biggest game in our history).
“With the short history we have had, the last game was the biggest game and we came through that with an amazing performance and well-deserved result.
“Handsworth have been fantastic in the last couple of years.
“The way they performed in the League Cup (last year) was fantastic and they beat a lot of top sides.
“I can’t remember the last time they lost at home (before last week) and they concede very few goals.
“To go there and keep a clean sheet on the 3G surface was a tremendous and a big step towards promotion.
“If we can get a point on Saturday, that guarantees us promotion, but like always we’ll be going for all three.
“We have put ourselves in a great position and we have to make sure we don’t throw it away.”
Promotion will end two years of hurt for Wombwell who actually cantered to the Division One title in 2020 just before the pandemic began.
“It has been very frustrating for me, the players and the supporters,” Rose said.
“We had won the league when it was null and voided.
“Because of covid, football has taken a back step in the last two years, but we certainly feel a little hard done by that we have had to do it all again.
“But, that’s life.”
For all the title and promotion talk, Rose is very aware Denaby could upset the applecart and spoil the party tomorrow.
“They were having an absolutely fantastic season and at one stage they were probably favourites to go and win the league,” he said.
“I think they have been unlucky with injuries and the wheels have come off in recent weeks.
“But they are a dangerous side and I think they had only lost once in 20 games at one point.
“They held us to a 0-0 draw at their place so we know how good they can be.
“We have to show the same spirit, commitment, performance, effort levels, determination and desire as we did last week at Handsworth.
“If do that, hopefully our quality will come out on top and we can get another win to win promotion.
“But by no means are we taking it lightly.”
Rose also reserved praised already-promoted pair South Kirkby and Handsworth plus Denaby who with Wombwell have helped deliver a pulsating promotion race for the league.
“Fair play to Kirkby because they have beaten us twice and they have beaten Handsworth and Denaby,” he said.
“They have beaten all the top sides and won 20 games.
“Handsworth more than deserve to go up with their performances and the amount of goals they have scored.
“Their goals difference is phenomenal.
“We need to credit them along with Denaby who have been in the four horse race.
“It has been interesting and there’s been a good rivalry between the four teams, but hopefully we will put it to bed on Saturday.”
Excellent from the big lizard, amazing club is Wombwell Town and one that is going places in the next few years. Up the Wellers