Runcorn Linnets manager Dave Wild has praised his side following their FA Trophy win over Workington.
Zach Clarke and a Jamie Rainford penalty secured a late fightback for Linnets as they cancelled out Rueben Jerome’s opener on the stroke of half-time.
The triumph made it back-to-back wins for Wild’s side after they fired four past Skelmersdale United.
Following the postponement on Saturday due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II, it meant that they had to make the journey up to Cumbria in midweek.
Despite it being “backs to the wall”, Wild credited his sides unbelievable effort. He told Off The Park: “It was brilliant, we were so backs to the wall it’s unbelievable.
“With the Queen dying and the games getting postponed last Friday, to the games getting postponed to then be getting told Friday evening we were going to be going there on a Tuesday was very difficult.
“To be fair, it would’ve been the same for Workington but ultimately, they were at home. It didn’t our lads a lot of time to speak to their employers and get an early dart, we had a squad of 14, we had our backs to the wall – there was loads missing but we went there and got the job done.
“To be honest, I thought we were very good value, we had a bit of information given to us from a couple of managers who have played them already.
“That information was exactly what stopped us allowing them to dictate the game and we pressed, we dealt with what they’re good at that well that in the end, we sort of dominated the game.
“I’m not saying possession because when you look at it in possession they probably had more, in terms of key clearcut chances, energy around the pitch, the team that looked likely to win was us throughout so I was really pleased.
“I said after the win over Skelmersdale, we’ve got to start being more than just a second half team and for people who weren’t there [against Workington] would think we were again but for me, we were good for our money for 90 minutes and it was pleasing performance.”
After arriving in the summer, Wild feels his side are finally starting to strike a tune as they had to overcome Workington in adverse circumstances.
He added: “I’m really pleased with our squad, it has taken a little bit longer than we thought to get them understanding each other’s games, I look at the fact Tom Moore’s, he’s been unlucky with injuries but he slotted into that position last night but he looked so composed and understood what the lads behind him and in front him do.
“It’s a testament to our full group now, we’ve got a core group of 16 to 18 lads that when they come in and play, they play as starters.
“I don’t look at it like we’ve got 11 and five subs, I think anyone can play for 90 minutes and we’ve got a group that understand you’re not going to play every single game but when you do, you do it for the team and that’s buzzing round our dressing room.
“Everyone understands you’re in it to win it and if you’re not in the side, you suck it up and you make sure you perform for the team because ultimately, that’s what we’re all here to do to win.”
Their next game will be in the same competition as they now prepare for their trip to North Shields next weekend.
With the short layoff, Wild hopes it doesn’t affect momentum but believes the successive wins will be add positivity to the group
“In terms of confidence, I’d say our confidence is quite high at the minute. We had a good result at Skelmersdale, we’ve had good performances for the majority of our games, confidence is coming through in performances which is in turn producing results.
“We just feel and seem to be in a really good place, the only frustrating thing is that we don’t have a game this weekend, we don’t have a midweek next week then our next game is North Shields.
“I hope it doesn’t knock our momentum but two wins back-to-back for the first time this season, that can only be a positive,” he concluded.
[Featured image: Neil Phillip Thornton]
