JAMES Robbins says his Alcester Town team is looking as strong as it has all season as they prepare for what they hope is a return to Midland League Division Three action on Saturday.
Weather permitting, Town will be chasing a sixth successive victory in all competitions and a fifth on the spin in the league when they head to Burntwood Town.
Player-manager Robbins, who watched his side come from behind to win 2-1 at home to Boldmere Sports & Social Falcons in their Challenge Vase quarter-final on Saturday, is confident his men can continue their fine form which has seen them climb from a lowly position to occupy eighth place.
“It (if Saturday’s match goes ahead) will have been three weeks between league games and fingers crossed the weather holds up and we get the opportunity to pick up points again,” said full back Robbins.
“They (Burntwood) haven’t been in great form of late but they had a decent start to the season and, although confident in what we can do, we are wary of all the sides in this league and certainly won’t be underestimating anyone.
“Our squad is looking as strong as it has done all season at the moment and we have genuine competition in all areas.
“The two or three lads who came in for the Challenge Vase game did well and have given me a headache in terms of selection for this weekend, which is exactly what I asked of them.
“To be successful, it is vitally important to have competition and the lads know that, if they are not doing the business, there is someone there breathing down their necks looking to grab their starting place.
“My philosophy is and always will be, if you are not pulling your weight, it doesn’t matter who you are or what you have done in the past, you will find yourself out of the side.
“We need all players pulling in the same direction and that won’t be disrupted.”
Alcester can welcome back Matt Trinder who was cup-tied for the Vase success, whilst strikers Richard Eastell and Steve Nurse are pushing for starts following impressive cameos in recent weeks.
Town, who will face either Redditch Borough or Inkberrow in the last four of the Vase, fell behind shortly after half time in their last eight tie but equalised midway through the second period when substitute Eastell won a free kick on the right from which Jack Banks whipped in an inviting delivery which was met by a bullet header from Nick Dance.
The home side poured forward in search of a winner and it arrived when Eastell’s cross was handled in the box and Matt Layton confidently sent the visiting keeper the wrong way from the penalty spot.
