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Crunch clash for Hornets

Mike Floyd
12/ 7/2008

HORNETS badly need a confidence-boosting win when they face Workington Town in the Co-operative National League Two at home tomorrow.

The Spotland outfit are just outside the play-off places in eighth position, two points behind their opponents. With eight matches remaining, time is of the essence.

In their previous encounter, at Derwent Park in March, an injury ravaged Hornets’ side edged home 30-28 with a spirited display.

Since then, if recent performances are to be believed, the visitors have got better, while Darren Shaw’s men have struggled to find their form.

Workington have beaten Doncaster, and last week, by all accounts, they were unlucky to lose to high-flying Oldham.

Hornets, though, seem to have lost the plot. They have lost their last three games against Doncaster, Hunslet and Keighley.

Their inability to hold on to the ball and complete their sets, woeful tactical kicking, and powder-puff tackling have seen them sink to what were, quite frankly, embarrassing defeats.

It has not been pretty.

In National League Two, Hornets have the fifth highest points-scored total, and the fifth highest points-conceded. This would suggest they have the ability to convert possession into points – when they hold on to the ball – but need to make a vast improvement on defence.

Shaw is well aware of this and his problem seems to be getting his players to translate the work done in training on to the pitch on matchdays. Put simply – using their brains!

He said: "It’s a big game and it’s the minor things we need to get right. Our poor ball control is killing us and it has a huge knock on effect in everything we do in attack and defence.

"We just need to be more disciplined, more patient with the football, especially against a big side like Workington. If we can make them work hard, go over the top and fatigue them we can get ourselves in good scoring positions.

"We tend to push our passes and come under duress defensively. We need more composure.

"They are an improving team and have picked up bonus points in a lot of their games. It will be tough and we just have to make sure we execute well and take our opportunities."

Shaw expects to have David Best and Tom Wild back in action tomorrow, but Paul Alcock will be out for another week.

Town coach Dave Rotheram is hoping Shaun Lunt, Martyn Wilson and Franco Kmet will all return for tomorrow’s fixture.