Telford Juniors hitting form in time for derby day
Telford JUNIORS are looking ‘more like their old selves’ after a tough baptism of fire in the West Midlands League Division One, by Lewis Cox.
They welcome neighbours Newport Town to Doseley Road tomorrow on a decent run of form after enjoying three wins on the bounce.
That followed an opening run of three defeats for Paul Sankey’s side, and the boss puts the change in fortunes down to having a settled, consistent side.
He said: “The beginning of the season was a baptism of fire for us but we were in all of those games.
“We had players missing through holidays but it’s settled down now. We’re back to a regular settled squad, which is important for some consistency. It’s a new league for us and everybody’s learning.
“We’re looking more like our old selves now.”
Juniors are eighth in the early standings, three points and four places behind Newport.
“They’re only up the road, so there’s not much travelling for them,” Sankey added. “Hopefully there’ll be a few more spectators, we’re averaging around 60 which is decent.
“There’s interest there in the town and that’s what we’re trying to generate.”
Sankey, whose side won promotion last term after winning the Division Two title, has no fresh fitness concerns ahead of the clash and is hoping to use a similar line-up to the side that secured a 2-1 win at Kington Town last week.
Newport assistant boss Mickey Baker was not interested in playing down the significance of the derby.
He said: “We are hoping last weekend was the final for weddings and stag do’s and holidays so we can get a settled squad.
“It’s a massive derby for us.”
Ellesmere Rangers, flying high with five wins from six in the Premier Division, head to Shifnal Town for a Shropshire derby.
Richard Brown’s visitors sit fifth, with Shifnal 15th.
AFC Bridgnorth face a difficult trip to leaders Wolverhampton Sporting, who boast a 100 per cent record.
Wellington Amateurs, second-bottom without a win in eight, head to sixth-placed Wednesfield.
In Division Two, Wem Town – who are 10th with two wins from five games – host third-bottom Kington Town.
Fourteenth-placed St Martins face a trip to struggling Willenhall, who have shipped a mammoth 35 goals in six games so far this season.
