Billy Paynter says Runcorn Linnets are looking for revenge against Nantwich Town – as he revealed his challenge to the players.
Prescot Cables’ 1-0 win over Chasetown in midweek saw them leapfrog Linnets into second. This weekend the two playoff contenders go head-to-head, before they lock horns they host Nantwich Town – who are making a late surge for the top five.
Paul Carden’s side inflicted a 3-1 defeat in the corresponding fixture in October. With six games remaining, the Northern Premier League playoff race in on a knife-edge as eight points separate Cables in second and Witton Albion in sixth.
Paynter revealed he has set his squad a challenge ahead of the run-in, as they look to end their playoff hoodoo following successive final defeats.
“This weekend is a big, big period, two tough games,” he told Off The Park. “We want to be finishing second, I’ve challenged the boys, so the mindset going into every game is chasing three points, we want to finish the season strong.
“I always back the lads, whoever plays, we have a good squad and togetherness in the dressing room. Nantwich are a tough side, they have momentum themselves, they’ll be looking to sneak into the playoffs, it makes for a very good contest on Friday.
“We had a makeshift defence, and were light, we displayed well on the day but they showed their strengths as the game wore on. I do think it’ll be a different game, we’ve got a very good squad now which is solid in different places, I’m looking forward to it and looking to get revenge.”
Following their defeat to rivals Bootle, Linnets bounced back with a 2-1 win over Avro before earning a point at Clitheroe.
And there were positive signs for Paynter’s side, he added: “It was much-needed, I was disappointed against Bootle but to bounce back against Avro, it was important to get the three points and finding a way to win.
“After a defeat, you don’t know what the response will be, we scored a good goal through Ryan Brooke but conceding on the stroke of half-time was a blessing in disguise, we could address things then we eventually got the second goal and were comfortable.
“Clitheroe is a tough place to go to get a result, I’m more disappointed in how we conceded the goal from the corner. It was a good footballing display from us and Clitheroe had a bit more pressure in the second-half, we still had chances but when we have those opportunities, we have to be more clinical.
“Our lads were confident in possession, enjoyed having the ball and made Clitheroe change certain personnel but we coped well.”
[Featured image: Neil Phillip Thornton]
