The Chronicle (South Tyneside and Durham)
Moore hails the efforts of Hornets in hunt for title
HEBBURN Town player-manager Daniel Moore has hailed the efforts of his players as they look to take pole position in the race for the Northern Premier League East title tonight.
The Hornets are looking to rack up an impressive tenth consecutive win when they host Ashington at Hebburn Sports Ground and they head into the game knowing they will replace Stockton Town at the summit if they can collect an invaluable three points.
After taking a maximum return from away games at Carlton Town, Grimsby Borough and Liversedge over the last week, the Hornets return to home for the first time in just over three weeks - and Moore believes his players are right in the mood to continue their stunning run of form.
“We were 18 points adrift at one point so if we can go ahead in the last week of the season, psychologically for us, the players can see what they have achieved. Anyone that knows me will know there has been no overthinking, we are just taking one game at a time because a couple of months ago when we had games called off, we fell out the play-offs and getting in was our aim.
“But the run we’ve been on has given us confidence and belief and we know we have to go into games needing results so the lads have been brilliant. We have stuck at what we’ve been doing all season, the players look fit, in the last week they might be dead on their feet but they’re going toe-to-toe with sides trying to stop us.”
Ashington manager Ian Skinner has paid tribute to three young players that have stepped in to help boost his squad after his ranks were decimated with injuries and unavailability.
The likes of Dan Maguire, Ben Sampson, Charlie Exley and Simon Jakab all missed the goalless draw with Winterton Rangers on Tuesday night - and Skinner has praised three youngsters that have stepped into the breach. He told the Colliers website: “Credit to some of the lads like young Dylan Archer, who was with us earlier in the season and we let go to get more game time.
“He came back to help us out and the same goes for Mason Hardy, who we let go out on loan to get minutes. He returned tonight (against Winterton), albeit he didn’t get out on the pitch.
“Adam Glew is another who came to us in the summer but struggled with injuries and he has answered the call so pats on the back to all of them.”
There are three Northern League fixtures taking place tonight as Division One rivals Newcastle Benfield face Boro Rangers at the MKM Stadium, Division Two champions Blyth Town entertain Chester-lestreet Town and Boldon CA face Horden CW at Ford Hub.
The run we’ve been on has given us confidence and belief, so the lads have been brilliant, Daniel Moore