Shropshire Star

Gough is backing his boys in key basement battle

Wem Town boss Josh Gough is confident his men will be up for the battle when they face Pershore tomorrow in a crunch clash at the foot of the West Midlands League Premier Division.

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Wem are one place above the relegation zone as they host the side sitting directly below them.

“The lads know how important this game is and I am confident they can get the result we are looking for,” said Gough.

“We face two big games with Dudley Sports following on Tuesday night and the picture could look a lot rosier if we pick up two good results.

“It’s going to be a battle tomorrow and the team that wins the battle will win the game.”

Gough was frustrated to see his side return home empty handed from Wednesfield after going down 2-1.

And he admits they have learned the hard way this season that you have to make the most of your opportunities.

“We played the near-perfect away game last Saturday, but if you don’t take your chances at one end and fail to clear your lines at the other, then it can cost you,” he said.

“That was the case last weekend and has been at other times this season.

“You get less chances at this level and you need to make the most of the the ones you get.

“But the commitment from the players has been good and the team morale is brilliant and hopefully that will show in the last few games and help pull us up the table.”

Shifnal Town boss Mark Simpson is confident his side won’t be dragged into the survival battle as his side prepare to take on high-flying Bewdley Town.

Simpson’s side currently sit 15th in the table and with nine games to play, he feels their fixtures in hand will help with their battle for safety.

“We’ve got nine huge games left and they all tough games, starting with this Saturday,” he said.

“I’d like to think we are safe, even with nine games to go, as I can’t see the teams below us picking up many more points.

“I think the battle down at the bottom of the table is just as exciting as the race at the top.”

Pegasus Juniors and Pershore Town 88 currently occupy the bottom two places, with Shifnal six points in front.

And Simpson is looking for his side to find a cutting edge during the run-in.

“We’ve been dominating games and losing,” he added. “We have to be more clinical in the next few games to get anything from them.

“On our day we can beat anyone, however, it completely depends on what mindset our lads turn up with. Our attitude is where we have been lacking at times this season.”