Bucks bid to start Motoring

Rob Smith has challenged his depleted AFC Telford United side to surge into the top four of Blue Square North by Saturday night.The Bucks travel to Vauxhall Motors tonight before playing host to Stalybridge Celtic at the weekend.

Smith is confident a maximum points haul could see his side rise from their current sixth place standing.

"I've said all along that if we can stop in the top six or seven all season it would be a great achievement," he said.

"But you always look a bit higher than that and three points tonight and three points on Saturday and we could be in the top four."

Smith, however, is under no illusions about the size of task his squad faces tonight, particularly with the selection problems stacking up.

Captain Steve Jagielka begins an eight-week absence, while his normal stand-in Carl Rodgers misses the game due to family commitments.

Smith will make a late decision on who will skipper the side, but his problems don't end there with Jamie Vermiglio also joining long-term victim Justin Marsden on the treatment table.

Youngster Matty Wood will supplement the numbers tonight, but Smith has resisted the temptation to recall striker Gary Birch from his loan spell with Rushall Olympic.

"We are not without our share of problems but three points would be very welcome just to keep us up there," added the Telford chief.

"In many ways, this is as hard as Saturday's game (at leaders Harrogate) because Vauxhall Motors are one of the best attacking sides in the division.

"Midweek games are always tough because the lads have been at work all day but we just have to get on with it.

"I think we will get chances tonight and we have to make sure we take them when they come along.

"We have defended well all season and we will have to do that again because they will be a really big danger coming forward."

By James Garrison