Herbert – We’ll still be in the mix at the end
● RUNCORN TOWN’S struggles show no sign of ending as they suffered two defeats at the hands of Widnes FC and Charnock Richard in the past week.
Chris Herbert’s men have now lost three consecutive games – and five of the last eight – as Runcorn Linnets have stormed to a commanding 13-point lead over their rivals at the top of the Hallmark Security League Premier Division.
In addition, the goals have dried up for Town who have not found the net for the past four matches – a total of 376 minutes going back to a game against Barnoldswick Town on January 6.
To compound the misery, both Widnes and Charnock have leapfrogged Town in the table. The one-time leaders of the pack now find themselves in fourth place, but with two promotion slots to fight for this season, boss Chris Herbert is refusing to panic.
“There are 19 games of the season left which is 57 points,” he explained.
“We are improving now with each game. It’s like starting pre-season again and it’s taking longer than expected to get going but it is coming.”
With Irlam visiting Pavilions this Saturday and sitting precariously above the relegation places, Herbert will be eyeing the fixture as the perfect opportunity to reignite his side’s campaign.
The boss, however, is treating it like any other game, defiantly asserting his side can still be promoted this season.
“We just have to keep plugging away and the results will start to come. We will be in the mix come the end of the season,” he said.
With four games in the next two weeks, Town have the perfect opportunity to repay their manager’s belief.
Following Saturday’s encounter (kick-off 3pm), Town travel to Northwich Victoria next Tuesday evening. The match at Townfield kicks-off at 7.45pm.