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A good stalemate

9/ 4/2008

GLOSSOP North End manager Steve Young is asking everyone to put the club’s recent run of indifferent results into context as the Vodkat League season draws to a close.

The Hillmen conceded a last minute equaliser to draw 1-1 against Atherton LR last weekend, but despite being disappointed at seeing two points slip through his fingers, Young is philosophical about the draw.

Darren Hamilton had put the Hillmen ahead during the first half, only for the visitors to level with time running out.

The point was notable given the absences of Jamie Kay, Steffan Fielding, Jason Gorton, Rick Bailey, Kieron Lugsden, Sam Hind and Ryan Radford.

That meant 16-year-old keeper Matt Ince was thrown in at the deep end, while some of the squad were forced to play out of position.

Young said: "I was quite disappointed we didn’t take three points, but sitting down on Sunday and Monday, I thought about it and realised that we had seven bodies out which meant there were a lot of young kids playing in the end.

"We’ve come to the difficult part of the season now. We’ve run into a lot of injuries and suspensions and it’s made us struggle. We go to Congleton Town on Saturday now, looking for three points to get ourselves back on track and I think everyone’s going to be available apart from Jamie Kay who’s on holiday. While I think there’s going to be some fitness issues, I’d imagine everyone’s going to be available and we’ll take it from there.

"People have been disappointed over the last month, maybe because they thought we could get that fourth spot – which we still have an opportunity to do – but it’s been a bright start to the future of Glossop North End. What we’ve got to do is keep people interested in coming to Glossop to watch us."

As Young mentioned, the Hillmen face a Congleton Town side this weekend, doubtless looking to put one over on North End after a 3-0 defeat on March 8.

Lugsden (two) and Hamilton were on target for North End at Surrey Street that day as the three points made it 31 out of a possible 36 at the time.

However, North End’s six games since have yielded four defeats, one win and a draw, leaving the manager hopeful his players can turn that around.

Young said: "That was one of our best performances of the season against what we thought was their strongest team.

"It’s a good time to go to Congleton because our players have to bounce back with a really positive result."