Boss a winter warner
AFC Telford United chief Rob Smith is calling on his table-topping side to prove they have the focus to keep their promotion push alive throughout the tough winter months ahead. The Bucks have a five-point lead at the top of the UniBond League premier division. AFC Telford United chief Rob Smith is calling on his table-topping side to prove they have the focus to keep their promotion push alive throughout the tough winter months ahead. The Bucks have a five-point lead at the top of the UniBond League premier division following Saturday's 1-0 win away at Guiseley. That victory was earned in wet conditions on a heavy and muddy pitch - and that is something Smith says they must get used to in the coming weeks. "I said to the players before the game that it's all right winning at Ashton on a nice summer's night or winning at home against Leek on a nice sunny day, but this, to me, is where it starts," he declared. Read the full story in the Shropshire Star
The Bucks have a five-point lead at the top of the UniBond League premier division following Saturday's 1-0 win away at Guiseley.
That victory was earned in wet conditions on a heavy and muddy pitch - and that is something Smith says they must get used to in the coming weeks.
"I said to the players before the game that it's all right winning at Ashton on a nice summer's night or winning at home against Leek on a nice sunny day, but this, to me, is where it starts," he declared.
"North Ferriby were in the same position as us last season and they couldn't see themselves through the winter and ended up scrapping for a play-off place.
"I believe we've got players that can get us through the winter, although that wasn't a vintage display on Saturday and I thought we made hard work of it.
"The grounds are going to get worse but I believe we've got the squad to cope."
The Bucks were roared on to their 13th league victory of the season by a vociferous away following of more than 250 fans in a crowd of 520 - Guiseley's best attendance in over four years.
And the Telford manager was quick to pay tribute to their part in the team's success.
"We could all hear the fans in the dressing room and I said to the lads: 'That's some support away'," he revealed.
"I watched the game on TV on Friday night between Cardiff and QPR and there was more Telford fans at Guiseley than there was QPR fans at Cardiff.
"It's just awesome that they went all that way in such bad weather and I'm really pleased that we came away with the three points for them.
"If you go to places like that and there's no fans with you then it can be a very lonely place to be. They make us feel like we're at home."
By Chris Hudson