Baker gears up for key month of tough fixtures

Continued from back page

Following Saturday’s game against second-placed Runcorn, Blues travel to take on current leaders Atherton Collieries who hit a rich scoring vein on Saturday when they put eight goals past struggling Kendal Town.

Games against Trafford

(9th), Radcliffe (3rd), Colne (6th) and Widnes (11th) follow next month.

“As I keep saying, it’s a big month for us, but if we are going to be in the play-off frame at the end of the month, then we have to get something from these games to keep us in there,” said Baker who is looking forward to Saturday’s game against two teams he says like to play football. “Runcorn are a good team and will come here looking to complete the double over us in the league,” said Baker.

Runcorn were 1-0 winners over Leek at the beginning of November in the league and then beat Leek 4-1 at Harrison Park to progress in the Integro League Cup.

“We deserved a draw at their place, but they beat us comfortably in the cup. They were clinical at our place, so we need to make sure there is no repeat of that,” added the manager

Meanwhile, Baker says putting teenage full-back Jessy Bavanganga on contract was just reward for the player’s hard work since linking up with the first-team squad.

Bavanganga, a former

Stoke City junior, was part of Leek’s academy set-up, but was called up by Baker to cover for injuries and the manager was impressed enough to offer him a deal. He said: “Jessy hasn’t let me down. He’s a young lad learning his trade.

“He’s full of enthusiasm and energy and I thought it was only right to offer him a contract. Jessy is one for the future.”

Coming up Sat Jan 26: Sat Feb 2: Sat Feb 9: Tue Feb 12: Sat Feb 16: Sat Feb 23:

Runcorn Linnets (h) Atherton Colls (a) Trafford (a)

Radcliffe FC (a) Colne (h)

Widnes (a)