Miller backs Spenny to bounce back

SPENNYMOOR Town interim manager Tommy Miller has backed his side to move on from their FA Trophy disappointment to claim a derby win against Darlington.

The Moors saw their hopes of a run in the Trophy ended by National League North rivals Southport after they came out on the wrong end of a penalty shoot-out at Brewery Field.

With no midweek league fixture in their schedule, all attention has turned towards the Boxing Day trip to face the Quakers at Blackwell Meadows.

The game sees Miller go headto-head with his former Ipswich Town team-mate Alun Armstrong and the Moors boss is relishing the “special occasion” that a derby provides.

He said: “Saturday was disappointing because we want to do well in every competition.

“The game should have been killed off, we had the chances, but we got done on penalties.

“We now have a massive game against Darlington and I don’t think their ability is matched in their league position.

“Obviously they haven’t played as much as other clubs, and we know that they have players that can hurt us.

“It’s a special occasion, derby games always are, but they are only special if you come out on top and that is what we are aiming to do.”

Miller and Armstrong were team-mates with the Tractor Boys between 2001 and 2004 after the current Moors boss moved to Suffolk from Hartlepool United.

Miller admitted that he didn’t see the Quakers boss as a future manager – but praised the impact he has made on the sidelines.

“Alun was always one of the lads when he was younger and I am not sure I saw him as someone that would go into management,” he said.

“But he has matured as he has got older, as we all have, and he has got his head down, done his badges and done well.

“He worked at Middlesbrough’s academy, then did an excellent job at Blyth Spartans and I am sure he will continue his good work at Darlington too.”

Moors defender Carl Magnay could undergo a late fitness test after he limped out of the FA Trophy win against Marske United.

The Quakers received a boost after they confirmed on-loan goalkeeper Melvin Minter had extended his stay at the club until the middle of January.