Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Togetherness can help turn form – Mahoney
SWINDON Town goalkeeper Murphy Mahoney insists the togetherness of the squad at the County Ground will get the club back to winning ways sooner rather than later.
The Wiltshire side were among the early-season pacesetters with a long unbeaten run from the start of the campaign, but since losing at Notts County on October 3 they have gone on a dreadful run, and this month alone have conceded 14 goals in three competitive matches.
Swindon have dropped down to 12th place in the standings, and today they visit Harrogate, who are just one point and two places below them in the table.
Mahoney told a press conference: “It can be a struggle (remaining upbeat), we have been on a difficult run of form, but we have a great group here and we work really hard in the week.
“We are always motivated, and we are always confident that we can go out and put on a good performance.
“Although we are on a difficult run, at the start of the season we were on a really good run, so we look back at that and that gives us motivation.
“From the start of the season until now there has been a really good togetherness throughout the group, everyone gets on with everyone.
“That is important when results aren’t going your way to help your mate out and if someone is low on confidence then you pick them up.
“I wouldn’t necessarily say we have been coming in laughing and joking, but we pick each other up and help each other to get the best out of ourselves.
“It is a good opportunity to go there, implement our style, play our football, and come away with something. That is our focus.”
GLOUCESTER City will attempt to end a turbulent week on a high note when they host Braintree in the FA Trophy second round.
The Tigers have slumped to the foot of the National League North – 11 points from safety – on the back of a long losing run, and saw club chairman Patrick Chambers and his wife, operations director Nicky, depart on Thursday.
Today’s visitors sit eighth in the National League South and have won three of their last four games in the division.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Yeovil Town have now won 14 consecutive matches in the National League South and FA Cup, although that run will be put to the test today as they begin their Trophy run at Torquay.
The sides met at Plainmoor in the league less than a fortnight ago and the Glovers emerged with a 3-1 victory.
Elsewhere, several West sides have a home game to kick-off their Trophy campaign.
Bath City have been drawn at home to Beaconsfield, while their National League South rivals Chippenham host Basingstoke.
Hereford welcome Redbridge, while Southern League Frome host Worthing, and Weston are at home to Cray Wanderers.
Taunton, meanwhile, have an away tie at Welling.