Shropshire Star

Williams targets winning streak to stay in touch

HAUGHMOND boss Dan Williams has challenged his side find the consistency required to mount a sustained push for West Midlands League Premier Division glory, writes Nick Elwell.

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Williams’ charges are sitting third in the table behind early-season pacesetters Tividale and Black Country Rangers. But he knows they need to string a run of victories together if they are to muscle in on the title race.

“We need to put a good run of results together and that is the aim between now and Christmas,” he said.

“We only ever seem to manage to string three or four wins together at best and to stay in touch with the top two we need more than that. We need to put together seven or eight wins, something like that.

“Tividale and Black Country are doing that and they are both flying at the moment. I don’t think Tividale conceded a goal in October.”

Haughmond host mid-table Dudley Town tomorrow before travelling to struggling Pegasus Juniors next weekend with their boss hoping they can build on last week’s impressive victory at Malvern.

“Consistency is the issue,” said Williams. “We played really well to win at Malvern last week. It was a great result but came of the back of our worst one when we lost to Bewdley.

“They bullied is to be honest. It was embarrassing.

“But it was great to see the lads bounce back from that and now we have to build on that.

“We have the quality, the ability and the team spirit, it’s just the consistency we need to find.

“On our day we are as good as any side in the division but we have to find a way to win games when we are not playing at our best.”

Williams’ selection hand is weakened tomorrow with defender Jack Griffiths and striker Scott Ryan suspended.

Shawbury boss Dave Richards is hoping the club’s availability issues are a thing of the past.

The Ludlow Stadium club were forced to call a clash with Haughmond off last month due to not being able to field a side.

The situation led to joint-boss Stu Lewis tendering his resignation amid concerns over the club’s future.

But Shawbury appear to be on the road to recovery having picked up two wins from their last three outings – the latest of which saw them record an impressive 4-0 win against Dudley Sports on Wednesday.

And there is further good news for tomorrow’s home clash with Dudley Town with striker Sean Evans back in the mix after injury.

“Sean is a big player for us and it’s great to have him back,” said Richards.

“His return follows on from welcoming Mark Stallard back on Wednesday.

“Hopefully things are starting to settle down and we can get a bit of stability.”

Richards is looking to further strengthen his squad with a couple of additions.

“We have seven-day notices in for a couple of players and hopefully I will be able to speak to them tonight and get them on board,” added Richards.

AFC Bridgnorth will be looking to build on their impressive 3-0 midweek success at Dudley Town when they host a Smethwick Rangers side sitting one place below them in ninth.

Shifnal Town are on their travels to Bewdley Town. Wem face a basement battle with Dudley Sports.