Town get immediate chance for atonement
Now is the time to put together a run of games that will determine who wins the league, according to Damon Ming, the experienced Dandy Town winger.
With the Premier Division heading into the business end of the season, teams from either end of the table will be looking for results to help their respective objectives starting this weekend.
One particular match that pits sides looking for maximum points for different reasons is at St John’s Field where Town and Wolves do battle.
Town are in the midst of a four-way dogfight for the league title, while Wolves are second from bottom and also in desperate need of points.
“We are aware of what is going on around us,” Ming said. “It’s [title race] going to be a nailbiter, but we’re just trying to focus on ironing out a few things and pressing on from our disappointing loss last weekend.
“We know what we did wrong and in matches like that you have to find another way to break down an opponent, not just use the same tactics and hope you will eventually find a way.”
Ming was referring to a disappointing 2-1 defeat by Hamilton Parish at Wellington Oval, while Wolves scored a stoppage-time equaliser last Friday night to surprisingly draw with Somerset Trojans, who moved to the top of the table with their result against Devonshire Cougars last night.
Town have gotten the better of their Devonshire rivals thus far this term, twice beating them 6-0, once in the league and then in the FA Cup first round two weeks ago.
But Ming warned against Town thinking another one-sided contest is in the offing.
“You can never underestimate a side, especially right now when the objectives and realisation of what you can realistically do comes into plain view,” he said.
“We haven’t thought about a negative result, but we still have to play those also competing for the league, so it is far from over regardless of this weekend.”
One team who are on the outside of the title race looking in are Flanagan’s Onions, who are sitting in fifth. They host unpredictable Parish tonight at Goose Gosling Field at 9pm.
A win for Onions would have them in the top four for at least 24 hours, while maximum points for Parish would move them farther away from the relegation zone. They hold a solitary point advantage over Wolves.
Tomorrow, North Village welcome last-placed St David’s to Bernard Park in search of points to keep themselves in the title race heading down the stretch.
Landlords clash against tenants at Southampton Oval, where Southampton Rangers entertain PHC Zebras.
In First Division action, Somerset Eagles travel to Goose Gosling Field to take on Robin Hood, the leaders and form team in the division, Paget Lions take on St George’s Colts at Southampton Oval and Young Men’s Social Club play X-Roads at Bernard Park.
Boulevard and Devonshire Colts clash at Police Field, while the day’s other match has Ireland Island Rangers pitted against BAA Wanderers at Malabar Field.
