Quakers drew 1-1 with South Shields on Friday at Blackwell Meadows in their North-East derby, a result which means they go into today’s game in 11th place, eight points behind the play-offs with just two games remaining
The best position they can achieve is tenth if they beat Scarborough and Needham Market, while Spennymoor, who are currently tenth, lose both their remaining games.
Quakers assistant boss, Terry Mitchell, said: “We said in the dressing room after the game (on Friday) that we want 72 points, with two wins from our last two matches. We definitely want to break the 70-point barrier. It’s an astroturf pitch, so we should be able to play a lot more football.”
The Blackwell Meadows pitch was far too bumpy on Friday and drew criticism from several fronts.
“It was really difficult for both side
s,” said Mitchell. “They’ve got some good footballers just like we have, but they quickly realised they couldn’t play their style of football. It became a game in which both sides had to go really direct.”
Recent signing Blair Adams made his debut after signing from North Shields, and Mitchell said: “He did well on Friday.
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“We need to see him play, not just with this season in mind, but also long term. He’s got good experience, but we took him off near the end because it was his first start for a while.”
Caden Kelly is on trial at Wycombe and will miss today’s game, while Ben Andreucci and Andrew Nelson are both out because of injury
Opponents Scarborough are facing big problems as they are going to have to find a temporary home while their council landlords refurbish their facilities, although when that work will start is currently unknown.
They are currently 13th in the table, and have won just once in their last five matches. Quakers won the reverse game, which was a thriller in the fog on Boxing Day, 4-3.
Meanwhile, Spennymoor Town need to win their away game at South Shields this afternoon if they are to keep their hopes of playing in the play-offs alive.
Moors were held to a 1-1 draw by Scarborough on Friday to leave them four points behind the play-off positions, with today’s game at the First Cloud Arena and a final match at home to Oxford on Saturday to come.
Keeper Brad James returned on Friday after injury and suffered no ill effects, but striker Will Harris is doubtful with an ankle injury.
