AFC Telford United preview: Bucks eyeing momentum after Darlington victory

Kevin Wilkin has admitted his side are desperate to make it back-to-back victories in the National League North as they prepare to host Hebburn Town this weekend.

The Bucks picked up three much-needed points last Saturday against Darlington at the SEAH Stadium, courtesy of Charlie Williams’ first half strike and Kian Ryley’s 94th-minute winner.

Tomorrow afternoon Wilkin’s side face off against Hebburn, who won the Northern Premier League last season and currently occupy eighth place in the division having started life in the sixth tier well.

“Logistically it has been difficult for me to go and watch them, so they are a bit of a new entity for me to come across really,” the Bucks boss said. “We’ll do our homework on them as best we can to understand what they’re all about, and we’ll be prepared as we always are.

“I want the focus to be on what we can do more than anything else and for us to impose ourselves on the game, while of course being aware of their strengths.

“We need to show that we can be stronger and make sure we come out on the right side of the result and build some momentum after a good win last weekend.

“Games aren’t easy for us to win at the moment, and the inefficiency with how we’ve been playing doesn’t allow us to manage games as well as we did last season.

“We know it’ll be a tough game, but if everyone can reach the high levels that I know they’re capable of reaching, both in attack and in defence, we’ll give ourselves a chance.

“One thing I will say is the way that the supporters stuck with us right until the end on Saturday and willed us forward, encouraging the lads was massive for us.

“It can really play a big part in the players finding that little bit of extra quality, and we need that if we want to win games.”

Last Saturday saw Wilkin name a new-look front two, with veteran striker Louis Moult being partnered with attacking midfielder Charlie Williams, who got the all-important equaliser shortly before half time.

“It was a fantastic finish, and absolutely what we needed at that stage of the game,” Wilkin said. “Charlie has played wide for us a lot this season so to play him centrally alongside Louis was probably a bit more natural for him, and he did really well.

“Charlie is progressing all the time and we know he can do it at this level, it’s just about being able to do it on a consistent basis and back it up, which is the challenge for him this weekend.

“He’s been brilliant for us, and when we were struggling for options at right wing back he’s gone in and done a job there for us.

“Around the group he’s a great guy to have, and wherever I play him he gives it his all every time.

“he’s not played much in his optimum position, but hopefully now we’ll start to see that more often.”