Burscough challenged to take “scalp” of New Mills

Mar 7 2013 by Philip Kirkbride, Ormskirk Advertiser

DEREK GOULDING has challenged his Burscough players to take the “scalp” of New Mills this weekend.

The Linnets are brimming with confidence following consecutive wins in the Evo-Stik First Division North this week.

Goulding’s men backed up last Saturday’s 2-1 victory at Farsley FC with a 4-2 triumph over Radcliffe Borough on Tuesday night.

This weekend, the Victoria Park side travel to promotion chasing New Mills with Goulding preparing his side for one of the toughest test in the league.

“New Mills will definitely finish in the play-offs,” said Goulding.

“So I am expecting it to be a tough game on Saturday. But we got there knowing it is another chance for us to make an impression on the division and on other teams.

“We will go there looking to take a scalp.”

However, if Burscough are to cause an upset this weekend then they may have to do so without a quartet of key players.

Paul Williams came off during the midweek win with a hamstring complaint whilst Dave Roberts and Darren Brookfield are suffering with similar problems.

And defender Phil Clarke continues to be hampered by a knee problem.

But Goulding says he say sufficient fight and determination from his players in the win over Farsley to leave him feeling confident even if those players remain sidelined.

“We showed a little bit of character and grit in the Farsley win,” he said.

“I don’t think we played that well and they might feel unfortunate to have lost the game.

“But we stuck at it and applied ourselves.

“It showed the lads that if we apply ourselves and stick at things then we can get points from games when things appear to not be going that well.

“That was the major thing which came from Saturday because we had not been on our best run of form yet got the win.”

Burscough find themselves 10th in the standings, 10 points outside the play-off places.

Goulding admits it would take a “magnificent” run of form – and help from other sides – for them to close the gap before the end of the season.