Form is key in Shelley’s bid for shot at title
ASSISTANT manager Howard Cartledge says Shelley must hit a consistent patch of form if they are to maintain a challenge at the top of the North West Counties League First Division North.
The third-placed Huddersfield side face Atherton Laburnum Rovers at the Stafflex Arena today fresh from a battling 1-0 win at Bacup Borough on Wednesday.
Industrious midfielder Dan Keane clinched the three points with an 88th-minute header.
But before the trip to Bacup, Shelley suffered successive defeats, by Handsworth in the Buildbase FA Vase and AFC Liverpool in the NWCL’s PlayerMatch. com First Division Cup.
Ahead of a first home game in four, Cartledge said: “We’re very disappointed to be out of those two competitions, and while I’m not into making excuses, I think the absence of established strikers in both games had an effect.
“But we have been inconsistent, and having set a decent standard in the league (Shelley have five wins from seven), we have to keep hitting it.
“Overall, it’s been a solid start, and that’s down to the players working hard in training and matches to put the management team’s instructions into practice.
“But of course we’ll have to maintain that workrate if we are to stay at the top end of the table.”
Atherton struggled last season, but head to West Yorkshire in fifth place, having won four out of eight league games.
“They’ve had a tough time of it, and it’s good to see such a wellestablished club bounce back so convincingly,” added Cartledge.
“We came through a tough test at Bacup, and we’re ready for a similar challenge against Atherton.”
Shelley’s Under 18s have an FA Youth Cup first qualifying round clash with Barnsley side Athersley Recreation at the Stafflex Arena on Monday at 7.30pm.
Meanwhile, Golcar are in action today, hosting Bacup Borough.
Emley were in FA Vase second qualifying round action at the Fantastic Media Welfare ground against Winterton Rangers as the Huddersfield Examiner went to press last night.