Yorkshire Amateur in action
Yorkshire Amateur won’t “give up” on a Toolstation NCEL Division One top ten finish until it is mathematically impossible.
That’s the message from Ammers joint boss Phil Harding ahead of his and Lincoln Richards’ side’s trip to Dinnington Town tomorrow.
Harding and Richards have enjoyed a good first season in the Bracken Edge dugout and the Ammers lie safely in 14th – a huge achievement when taking the last two disastrous campaigns into account.
The pair’s aim in August was to finish in the top half and secure an FA Cup place. The Ammers may fall just short, but Harding, who says the club are already preparing for the 2014-15 season, believes his team have done well.
“We were looking to get in the top ten and it is still on as we’re only seven points off,” Harding told sportsperformer.net.
“It will take a lot though. On our day we can beat anyone. We drew 0-0 with Shaw Lane and beat Worsbrough and took their 18 month unbeaten home record from them.
“We’re no mugs. When we have the same eleven we win. Every-time we go away we struggle for a side and it affects the rhythm of the side because you’re always changing four or five.
“But, (on comparison with the last couple of seasons) we’re doing well. We already have seven more points than last year and there are still 12 games left.
“The main thing (at the start of the season) was not to get relegated and to try and get into the top ten. I wouldn’t be disappointed if we didn’t get there because we will go again next year.
“This year has been a learning curve and hopefully it will set it up for next year. It has been about seeing what it (the division) was like. Now I know how all the teams and their strikers and how they play so next year I will be more clued up.
“Next year I if I get the players I want, we’re ready to go. I’ve got two eyes on next season, but we’re still going to try and get in the top ten. We’re can’t give up on it.”
Harding and Richards themselves have had a great week having led their Leeds Combination League Chapeltown Fforde Grene team into the FA Carlsberg Sunday Cup quarter-finals.
Chapeltown beat local rivals Thornhill Lees 3-2 after extra time to book a tie with Humbledon Plains Farm.