Mental battle is big issue
PAUL McNally believes Skelmersdale United are struggling mentally following their eighth defeat in their last nine games in all competitions.
United have won just once this season - at the end of September against Radcliffe - with previous boss Dave Powell being axed midway through November with the club anchored to the bottom of the table.
Following the 2-1 defeat to Market Drayton Town on Saturday, however, McNally says his players must look to overcome the pressure of a relegation battle.
“It’s tough. It’s non-league football but I think there’s a mentality block with them,” the former Litherland REMYCA manager said.
“They’ve lost a lot of game and they’re in that cycle of feeling sorry for themselves and thinking things aren’t going right for them and I’m trying to break that.”
McNally has also confirmed he has brought several players into the training set-up at United to try and freshen things up.
The manager is understood to be searching for added experience with several of Skem’s stars currently experiencing regular Evo-Stik football for the first time in their careers.
“I’ve brought a couple of lads into training this week just to freshen things up.
“I just think they need a couple of fresh bodies,” he added.
“I want them in there to mix it up.
“They’re a very, very, very young side. It’s like a youth side to be honest.
“I’m all for having young players but it’s like playing an U15’s team in a men’s league.
“The effort is there and they’re all trying but sometimes it’s just that lack of know-how at the right times and knowing what to do at the right moment, like clearing the ball when you’re meant to.
“Instead they want to play football and I’m all for that but it has to be done at the right time and at the right moments.”
AS we approach the halfway stage of the season, the top of the First Division does have a very familiar look, although it seems a little closer than was expected.
This week’s match between the top two, Crosby A and B, finished all square and with both teams missing key players, this mighty clash took on a different look. In fact the pivotal moment of the match involved ‘one’ young Charlie Williams who stepped up two divisions for the B team to partner Rhys Davies and capture one of two double successes which put his adopted side 3-5 ahead.
Parity was then restored as first Sylvia Graham and then Gavin Lloyd did exactly what was expected of them.
Crosby A lead the way on 66pts, Crosby B with a match in hand remain second with 58pts.
Argyle A (57pts) head the chasing pack, after a hard fought 6-4 win over Princes St. C, where winning both doubles certainly looked the deciding factor.
Southport A (51pts) continued to impress after a good 7-3 win over a resurgent Argyle B in a rearranged contest.
Princes St A kept their good run going with a solid 2-8 victory at Crosby D, whilst Argyle B got back in the groove with an equally excellent 7-3 home win against a strong Holy Trinity A side, Julian Quirk and Angus Taylor with the standout performances. Finally, Princes St B had just about enough to see off bottom team Crosby C 7-3, whose luck is sure to change soon.
Argyle was our destination this week to see how Second Division leaders Argyle D (67pts) fared against Princes St D.
This could well have been a potential banana skin for the home side but with the visitors well below strength, that worry was eased somewhat.
Les Dodd got the home side up and running with an impressive four game win over Colin Fyles, before Nick Miller just had too much for visiting captain Frank Proffitt.
Would the doubles work in their favour thought Frank, as he stayed put to partner Irene Mullan who was stepping up from their F team, to face Les Dodd and Mike Parker.
Well, no was the answer I’m afraid, entertaining though it was, three straight and Argyle had a 3-0 lead.
That was soon 4-0 as Nick and