Dan Stevens hopes St Martins can kick on
St MARTINS chief Dan Stevens is hopeful his side can recover from a difficult summer to become a force in the West Midlands League’s Division One, writes Lewis Cox.
The Saints sit 13th in the 17-strong division after 13 games but Stevens, in his first full campaign at the helm, is aiming for a far brighter second half of the season.
They welcome county rivals Allscott to The Venue tomorrow in what is just their second game on the home 3G surface this season.
“It’s been a difficult one,” admitted the ex-Ellesmere boss. “We did not do much in pre-season because I was on holiday.
“We had a really small squad and no availability at the start of the season. We’ve only just been training with a full squad in the last six weeks.
“But we’re still fighting on four fronts. Even the league, if we can put a good run together we can get back into the top five and try to get out of the division, which is what we want to do this or next season.”
A memorable 5-4 win at Telford Juniors was followed by five without victory in the league, but Stevens’ men put that right last time out, smashing former high-fliers Team Dudley 5-0 in their own back yard.
Frustratingly, St Martins were then without a game last weekend and unable to build on their win.
“That was typical,” Stevens added. “We’re full strength now and had to go without a game. The Dudley win was without Dave Easthope – who used to play for Shrewsbury at under-18s – he has pedigree and goes back into the squad.
“We have to put a lot of wins together now to get back up the table. I think we only have three or four away games left playing at TNS, and we are pretty formidable on 3G there so that could help.”
On Allscott, who are two places and points higher in 11th, he added: “I don’t see derby games as any more. They’re a nice club and I know a few people there but you don’t get six points for winning!”
Meanwhile, in-form Wem Town – who have won five league games in a row – go to Worcester Raiders. Second-placed Newport Town host Bromyard Town and Telford Juniors go to Wyrley.
The Division Two derby between Ludlow and Church Stretton has been moved to tonight in hope of an attendance boost.
