Burscough FC manager Andy Mutch determined to keep Linnets up

Apr 9 2009 by Philip Kirkbride, Ormskirk Advertiser

A DOWNBEAT Andy Mutch has admitted last weekend’s defeat to bottom of the table Hucknall Town was his lowest moment as Burscough manager.

The defeat, coupled with results elsewhere in the Blue Square North has left the Linnets second bottom with just five game left.

But, as disappointed with the 3-2 loss as he was, Mutch has vowed his side will continue to fight to avoid relegation into the UniBond Premier Division.

This weekend, Mutch takes his wounded troops to struggling Farsley Celtic with the Burscough boss saying four victories between now and the end of the season will be good enough to keep them up.

He said: “Hucknall was the biggest disappointment since I have been at the club. We played very well in the first half and created a number of chances to go 2-1 up at half-time. After that we lost total discipline, concentration and commitment. We lost the plot which I have not really seen from us - we made a very average side look better than they were. When they scored in the 93rd minute, if I am very, very honest, it was very much deserved - they had gone a long time without winning so had to come to us to do it. It was the biggest game of the season to date and I actually think a bit of complacency crept in. They were not a great side but the old saying is you never give a sucker a break.

“It has been very tough for the boys all season and I would never not support them because they have worked very hard but it is a game we should have got all three points from.

“I still believe we can get over the line and get out of it, we will give it our all and keep that never say die attitude.”

Saturday’s trip to Farsley is followed up by Monday’s match with Workington at Victoria Park and Mutch says the players will be keen to make amends for the defeat to Hucknall.

Already, the Linnets’ last game of the season, at home to relegation threatened Blyth Spartans has grabbed everyone’s attention as the possible make or break for Mutch’s men and the Burscough boss says if they are in control of their own fate come April 25, he will be a happy man.

He added: “Indirectly I will not have to pick them up because I think the players, on reflection, they will be very disappointed with themselves so there is not much I have to tell them.

“If we play Blyth at the end of the season with our destiny in our own hands then I will be de delighted. We need to make sure we do what we need to because we can’t control anything else. There has been a lot of change and turmoil at the club but the lads have given me everything.

“If we win either four or five of our remaining games then we will say up, if we win three then we still have a chance.”