Berry urges focus as team looks for third straight win
SHELLEY manager Ash Berry is refusing to talk about targets as his side prepare to host Chadderton in their latest Hallmark Security North West Counties League game today.
The Stafflex Arena team are seventh in the First Division North and seeking three successive wins for the second time this season, having beaten Ashton Town, Atherton Laburnum Rovers and AFC Blackpool in October and November.
Having been plagued by inconsistency since December, Shelley won 2-0 at Holker Old Boys and backed it up with a 3-1 home victory over St Helens Town last Saturday.
Those results were welcomed by Berry, whose side won 4-3 at Chadderton back in September, but the experienced boss has urged his players to keep their feet on the ground, and keep doing the basics.
“The last two performances have been much improved, but we were playing that way earlier in the season, and maybe got ahead of ourselves,” he said.
“We were looking too far in front and talking about where we might finish, but then we hit a rough patch and lost our way a bit.
“Now we’re just taking each game as it comes, focusing on that opponent and no other, and trying to get the maximum from as many players as possible.”
Chadderton, managed by former Stalybridge Celtic, Hyde United and Curzon Ashton goalkeeper David Fish, are 15th and have picked up just one point from their past three outings.
But with a 15-point buffer, they shouldn’t be drawn into the relegation scrap, which is good news for non-league traditionalists, given they were founder members of the North West Counties League back in 1982.
■AFC Emley lost 2-1 at Nostell MW last night.