Colliver calls on Club to show desire for rest of the season

Colliver’s first home game in charge was marked with a 3-1 win over Gresley, Club’s first victory in more than four months.

And Colliver is looking to double up when they take on struggling Kidsgrove Athletic at the Coach and Horses ground.

“I was really pleased with the players, their application, desire and work rate was excellent,” Colliver. “My thoughts are that you might not be as good as your opponents, but can try harder.

“The lads played with a smile on their faces and I think the supporters appreciated the work rate and effort they put in.

“We had a lot of very positive comments from the supporters afterwards which is really encouraging.

“What we have to do is make sure we take that same desire to win into the game against Kidsgrove.

“We can’t get carried away it’s just one win but it’s a starting point.”

Visitors Kidsgrove are without a win in nine games having lost 2-0 at Gresley in midweek.

“They will want to come here and try to end that run,” Colliver said. “They’re only one place and one point behind us in the table.

“What I’ve noticed already is that games in this league are very competitive and high tempo so we’ll need to make sure we show the same desire as last Saturday, try to retain possession and make sure we win the ball back quickly.”

Colliver has already brought in defender Alex Pursehouse on-loan from Bradford Park Avenue along with Alex Callery and young striker Ross Goodwin, who made a scoring debut in the 3-1 win against Gresley.

This week, he made two further additions with Clipstone top scorer, 29-goal Alec Denton, and Oli Ryan joining Club, A midfielder is also expected to sign, possibly before Saturday’s game.

Benny Ig-Ehon and Conor Glavin have both joined Liversedge. “I need to go with what I know at the minute,” Colliver said.

Stocksbridge Park Steels travel to Gresley for their third away game in eight days.

Steels lost 4-1 at Market Drayton Town in midweek and have seen their play off hopes severely dented following a run of one point from the last three games, leaving them seven points outside the play-off places.

Manager Chris Hilton believes it is now a tall order for his side to break into the top five. “If I’m honest I think the gap is too far now for us to make up,” admitted Hilton.

“Its not impossible but after Gresley we’ve got leaders Stafford Rangers to play twice and Leek Town over the next couple of weeks. And although we’re quiet capable anybody you have to says its going to be very difficult for us to sneak into the last place.”

Hilton was disappointed not to have taken at least a point at Market Drayton Town.

“We had a mad first 20 minutes and conceded two goals,” he said. “We’ve got ourselves back into the game then dominated only to concede twice on the break in stoppage time, 4-1 flattered them. Our all round game is good, we just need to put the ball in the back of the net when we’re on top.”

Joe Lumsden is set to return against Gresley after missing the midweek defeat.

Shaw Lane Aquaforce host play-off chasing Leek Town as they look to complete a league double following a 1-0 win in Staffordshire in January when Lee Bennett scored the only goal before being red carded just before half-time.

The Ducks climbed to second place despite seeing two points dropped following a goalless draw against Newcastle Town on Tuesday.