Shropshire Star

Pressure all on Lucs says All Blacks boss

Bridgnorth boss Bryan Smallman claims the pressure is all on Luctonians ahead of tomorrow’s “make-or-break” Midlands Premier clash.

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The All Blacks head to Herefordshire with Smallman admitting they must win to keep their hopes of promotion alive.

But he maintains it is the hosts, who sit third in the table – two places and three points ahead of Bridgnorth – feeling by far the bigger heat.

“It’s a make-or-break game for us, in terms of our promotion hopes, there is no getting away from that,” he said.

“It’s a massive game but a much bigger game for Luctonians than it is for us. They are a level four club and they have really pushed to get back there with the players they have brought in.

“If they lose to us tomorrow, it pretty much ends their hopes. They are the ones with all the pressure and expectation.”

Bridgnorth are aiming to complete a season treble after beating Luctonians in the reverse league fixture and also knocking them out of the North Midlands Cup.

A win would ensure they remain within striking distance of county rivals Newport, who currently occupy second spot.

The All Blacks have won just two of their last five games and Smallman admitted a coaching shake-up, which has seen Gareth Harris leave the club, has had an impact on their form.

Harris, who is employed by Wasps, was finding it tough to juggle Bridgnorth duties with his work commitments.

Smallman, player-coach Will Bishop and club captain Dan Griffiths have stepped up to coach the team.

He said: “Things have been very choppy the last month or so and the disruption probably has had an impact on the team.

“Gareth has gone with our best wishes. The only reason he carried on for so long was because of how much he loves the club.

“He’s got a very good job with Wasps and is based down at Henley-on-Thames during the week. He was travelling up from there to coach the team and ultimately it probably got a bit too much.

“We are disappointed to lose him because he has done so much good for the club. You have to give him a lot of credit for carrying on as long as he did.”

“We’ve had a great season up to this point,” said Smallman. “We’ve got a chance to make it even better in the coming weeks.”

In Midlands One West, fourth-placed Whitchurch head to a Stoke side sitting a place below them.

There is a huge clash at the top of Midlands 2 West (North) where leaders Ludlow host second-placed Wolverhampton.