Manager Rob Smith today challenged his AFC Telford team to seal a second place finish in Blue Square North - and set up a rip-roaring home second leg in the play-off semi-finals.Last night’s victory for Southport and draw for Harrogate means a point at Burscough on Saturday will be enough for Telford to finish either second or third in the final table, guaranteeing the second leg of their semi-final will be staged at the New Bucks Head.
But Smith is anxious to keep the momentum going and end the season as runners-up to runaway champions Kettering.
“We want to try and finish second,” said the Bucks boss. “It’s a difficult one because if we finish second or third we are probably going to have a long midweek trip for the first leg next Wednesday.
“If we are away first, it could well be against Barrow and that’s not ideal for a midweek trip. But the lads are ready for it and we want to be in a position where we can try and pack the place out for the second leg.”
With a play-off place already guaranteed, Smith insisted he will take no chances with players carrying any minor knocks.
The squad was assessed at training last night and Gary Fitzpatrick, Indy Khela or Emeka Nwadike are all unlikely to be risked at Burscough.
Meanwhile, plans are already underway for the play-off games - despite the Bucks being unsure who their opponents will be.
The first leg is due to be played a week tonight, with the return likely to be at 3pm on Sunday, May 4.
And chairman Lee Carter revealed the home leg of the double-header could be one of the club’s largest scale operations ever.
“It’s probably going to be the biggest game we have ever staged because we are going to have a large number of visiting supporters,” said Carter.
“And while the home play-off game may be all-ticket for away supporters, it won’t be for home fans.”
3 Comments
I hate for once to disagree with Rob, but I see the other teams as Southport,Stalybridge, & Barrow with Barrow almost certainly being 5th which would mean a trip to the wild North next Wed. night, not a thought to relish. No, let Southport come 2nd with us 3rd or 4th to play Stalybridge, leaving Barrow or Southport to make the long trip to Burton on a mid week evening.
Yes Roadrunner, hopefully miss Barrow in semis and then if we meet them in the final our fans can be filling the place while theirs are stuck on the motorway in the traffic!
Thanks Adam although I think that even if Barrow make the final they`l not have more than a handful of supporters at Burton on a Friday night.
I say this in the light of the disgusting gate to see Kettering receive the winners trophy [ 1386 ]]
and they are said to be the bwest supported team in the league after us . I believe that The Bucks will make it there and that their support alone should carry them through.