Stags fearing no side in final bid
ROSSENDALE FC manager Ray Davis insists his side will not be daunted by the prospect of facing teams from higher divisions in their pursuit of Regional Cup success.
The Stags beat Premier League side Chew Moor Brook at the weekend to book a semi-final berth against First Division Hesketh Bank.
And David said the team’s focus will be on securing a place in the final.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be in the semi final and claim yet another Premier Division scalp along the way,” he said.
“Leagues mean nothing to this team, the attitude, will to win and quality is there to see out on the pitch and we won’t get carried away with ourselves. We will go into Saturday with the same thought process that has served us well since I came in here as manager.
“We had a few injuries/ suspensions and I was delighted with the lads who came in and performed excellently. We had to shuffle bodies around and some players that came in like Matt Kirkbright had hardly featured of late, so to perform like he did is a testament to his quality and work ethic in training, staying fit and being ready. I’ve always said it’s a squad game, you need a good squad as you will get injuries and suspensions. We lost Tom Hulme and Tom Hartley both to injury so again we may have to shuffle the pack but I know these lads will be ready.
“Defensively we were solid, that’s two goals conceded in seven games now. Our captain, Adam McInnes – I call him the minister of defence, we look well organised and going forward we can cause any side problems from all over the pitch.
“The biggest plus though was young Tom Walker coming into the side. He’s 17 year old and has been in real goal scoring form for the reserves.
“Injuries meant he got a place on the bench and when he came on he looked superb and scored an absolutely fantastic header. He’s a proper old fashioned centre forward and one of the best young talents in the Valley at the moment.
“The whole team was made up for him and it shows the strength not just in the first team but also further back into the reserves and we will give