Drayton boss happy to take chances

If it ain't broke, don't fix it - that's the mantra new boss Matt Burton is following as he prepares for his first game in charge of Market Drayton Town.

Burton takes his side to Lincoln tomorrow as they bid to retain their top three status in the UniBond League division one south.

The former Ellesmere Rangers manager took his side for training for the first time last night, and will rely heavily on the input of coaches Mick Murphy, Steve McCormick and his senior players for now.

Murphy, McCormick and goalkeeper Andy Pryce have taken on much of the responsibility for running the side since Lee Roberts' shock departure last month.

And Burton insisted: "I don't think I can go in and pick a team when I don't know who's been playing where, or who we've got.

"I will be guided by Mick and the others for at least a couple of games and it's an opportunity for all the lads to show me what I've got."

Burton operated at UniBond League level as a player, turning out for Stafford Rangers in the premier division.

And the 32-year-old is relishing the prospect of proving he has what it takes to be a success as a manager, too.

"It's come earlier than I had expected it would if I'm honest," he added. "But the door was open for me and I've decided to walk through it.

"I've always wanted to go as high as I can as a manager so it was an opportunity I had to take when it was presented to me."

Burton's new side are in confident mood after a 3-0 win at Willenhall on Tuesday evening that has kept them in amongst the thick of the action at the top of the table.

And he wants to take time to get to know his squad - though he believes he is familiar with at least 85 per cent of them already.

"I've no plans to bring anyone else in at the moment because the lads have put themselves third in the league with a game in hand," he said.

"I just want to give them a bit of stability and a bit of organisation and see where it takes us."