30/4/2008

Sport

Confidence high ahead of Calthorpe clash

Sinton is focused on winning promotion.

by Chris Harris

FLEET Town boss Andy Sinton claims the confidence in his squad is as high as ever ahead of this week’s play-off clash with Uxbridge.

The players from both sides have been left kicking their heels after plans to play the game on Tuesday, and then tonight (Wednesday), were shelved thanks to the tropical weather of the last few days.

The game is now scheduled for tomorrow night (Thursday), and Sinton insisted his players were confident and would remain focused.

“The water just lies on the top of the pitch and that makes it unplayable,” he said. “It is frustrating as you do your preparation and the lads were all up for it.

“But it’s the same for Uxbridge and you just have to get on with it and start again and keep focused.

“We are in decent form and we are all confident and looking forward to it. We are on a terrific run of form, but we know that Uxbridge are playing well and it will be a tough game.

“Any team that goes to Farnborough and wins 1-0, regardless of Farnborough’s situation, has to be respected.”

Uxbridge’s victory at Cherrywood Road last Saturday ensured them of a play-off spot, and was their fourth win in a six- game unbeaten run.

But Fleet have good reason to be confident, having thrashed Tony Choules side 3-0 at Calthorpe Park and 3-1 in the reverse fixture.

The visitors have plenty of attacking firepower, with ex-Farnborough striker Neville Roach in fine form. He has 20 league goals to his name and bags of non-league experience with the likes of Eastleigh and Maidenhead.

But the real star is former-Chelsea midfielder Mark Nicholls. He played 36 games for the Blues between 1996-2001 under Ruud Gullit, and was highly rated at Stamford Bridge before an influx of foreign players limited his first team chances.

Since then he has dropped down through the leagues, but at this level his set-piece
delivery, ability to pick a pass and eye for goal is a huge threat.

However, Sinton said he hadn’t make any particular plans to deal with Nicholls.

“He’s a good player with lots of experience,” he said. “We never pinpoint anyone in the opposition side.

“We make the players aware of the opposition’s strengths and weaknesses, and at this level it is about whether you can exploit that.

“We know all about them, and they know all about us as well, and it will be all about who performs on the night.”

Midfielder Phil John has enjoyed a goal-packed campaign this year, scoring 18 goals in all competitions, and he too was in confident mood ahead of Fleet’s biggest match of the season.

“We are confident going into any game, and in particular heading into the play-offs,” he said. “But we have won nine out of our last ten games, so we are all feeling good.

“We are all ready and pumped up for the game, and I think Uxbridge are a steady, decent
side, but one that we can beat.

“We don’t mind who we play against in the play-offs. We know we can beat anyone.

“Home advantage can help us because we have a good record at Calthorpe and teams don’t enjoy coming here.”

Kick off tomorrow (Thursday) is at 7.45pm.

First printed in: Aldershot News and Mail