Momentum on side in the race for promotion
COUNTY boss Simon Rusk believes momentum is on The Hatters’ side in the National League promotion race, as his inform side made it eleven unbeaten with an impressive 0-3 win at Boreham Wood on Saturday.
First-half goals by Ash Palmer and John Rooney were added to by a late Alex Reid strike in the second half to seal an emphatic win at Meadow Park - a first ever win over the Wood for County.
Similarly to the 0-3 win at Wrexham a fortnight prior, The Hatters started the tie somewhat sluggishly in the early stages, only to bounce back in style - leaving Rusk to hail his side’s “belief and desire” in seeing out early pressure.
“The nature of the win is really pleasing,” he said. “It was important that we were solid against a side with a real threat, so how we dealt with that was superb. I’m really proud of the players and it’s good momentum for us. Don’t underestimate how impressive it is to see out those early stages.
“Teams don’t always start as strongly as they would like in games, and when that’s the case, you really have to be solid and focused to defend and see spells out.
“As much as it was a slow start, that was nothing we didn’t expect – would we rather start strongly and control the ball? Of course, but when you don’t, it takes an awful lot of belief and desire to see that spell out. It’s moments like that which give me real pride in these players.”
The Hatters hit the front after quarter of an hour when talismanic defender Ash Palmer peeled off at the back post and powered James Jennings’ inswinging corner - a routine which has worked wonders for Rusk’s men in recent weeks.
Palmer’s opener was soon followed up by yet another John Rooney stunner from distance; Rooney’s 19th of a wondergoal-laden campaign.
“The corners are another thing we work hard at in training,” said Rusk. “But credit to the players, they’re the ones who have to step foot onto the pitch on a hot day and implement that. We know we’ve got individual quality with goals like John’s, and then that real presence and planning with Ash’s goal.
“I look at John’s contributions elsewhere on the pitch, too. I absolutely understand why the media and the fans look at John’s goals and enjoy them, and so they should, but I look at his work ethic, his willingness to do the hard graft and he’s been brilliant for us.”
An eventual clean sheet on the day made it fifteen for the Hatters in the National League - the most in the division this season.
It also notched up an fifth clean sheet in County’s last eight outings - a feat Rusk puts down to the “unbelievable concentration” of his players.
“It’s work rate. It’s concentration. In any game you need your good fortune at times, and you always have to roll with the punches as they come, but the lads really worked hard to ensure that the momentum stayed with us.
“All I can ask of the players is that when they step foot onto the pitch, they have the ambition and willingness to implement what we work on, and you can see that that ambition and willingness led to a pretty ruthless display.”
The big win leaves County fourth in the National League, but sees the gap to third-placed Sutton cut to just four points heading into the final leg of the campaign.
‘It’s moments like that which give me real pride in these players’