Time to bounce back after disappointment

Published on Friday 27 November 2009 11:57

After two points dropped against league whipping boys Barton Rovers, Rothwell Town manager Rob Dunion is looking for three points to get his promotion prospects back on track against Leighton Town.

Last weekend the Bones were hit by two first-half goals and left fighting to claw back a 2-2 draw against a team that they would should have beaten comfortably.

But Dunion said the result is behind them and his team are looking onwards – first to the 40-point mark which normally signifies league safety and then to a play-off or automatic promotion place.

He said: "All four goals against Barton were with the wind so tomorrow the idea will be to keep it on the ground.

"Leighton are quite free-scoring so we'll be looking to press them hard and close them down early to stop that continuing.

"Defensively we need to tighten up a little, but we're still scoring and the team is playing well."

But Leighton – five points behind Bones and in 10th place in the league – will be no pushovers having put four past Soham Town Rangers last weekend in a 4-4 thriller.

Dunion said: "Leighton score a lot but also concede at the back. To be honest I'd settle for an ugly 1-0 win tomorrow."

Dunion's first aim is still league safety but realistically Rothwell should be disappointed if they do not at least make a play-off place come the end of the season.

Dunion said: "The team we've put together are good enough to be competing at the top end of this league and I believe they can rightly be asking for a place in the play-offs.

"We've been together for a while and there's no one area where I'm thinking I'd like to bring in new players or strengthen.

"There is a continuity in the squad and a good team spirit running through it. I think that counts for a lot."

There are no injuries or suspensions so Dunion has a full squad to choose from – but the key area he is looking to improve is off the pitch, with Bones supporters being asked to become a 12th man.

Dunion said: "The team is out there playing some really good, entertaining football and there's no one watching.

"What I'd love to see is a big crowd roaring the team on – that sort of thing gives the players an amazing boost on the pitch."

And in an effort to attracted more fans to Cecil Street, Dunion revealed a special FA Cup promotion for Kettering Town fans could help swell the numbers.

He said: "We're offering a 3 discount on admission to Poppies fans who come along for our match tomorrow and bring their Leeds tickets.

"All they need to do is show their ticket for Sunday's game and they'll get in for a fiver.

"Hopefully that will attract some new fans to the ground."

Rothwell from: Crockett, Maddox, White, Strugess, Julian, Glass, Flannighan, Darby, Maude, Hallows, Underwood, Stephenson, Mills, Byrne, Turner, Locklin

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Time to bounce back after disappointment

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