John Marsden ready for AFC Telford's biggest game of the season

The 24-year-old forward – who is on loan from Stockport County and made his Bucks bow this past weekend – is expected to start at second-bottom Stalybridge Celtic, writes Joe Edwards.

Telford are 18th in the National League North table – three points above the drop zone – and having swapped a play-off push at County for a relegation dogfight, Marsden said: “Stalybridge is a massive game and it’s a real relegation battle.

“I don’t want to say the cup final one as that is one of the biggest clichés in football but the reality is that the biggest game is tonight.

“We go to Stalybridge, get a result there, and move on to the next one – and the one after that.”

After playing the full 90 minutes in the 2-1 defeat at Brackley Town, the Liverpudlian feels there is a lot of quality in the dressing room.

When asked if Bucks’ position was down to confidence, he said: “I think the quality in the dressing room is there and I think if we can take Saturday’s performance into the next few weeks, we’ll be fine.

“It’s just about turning the screw a little bit, and turning performances into points on the board.

“You can see there’s players here that maybe shouldn’t be in a relegation battle, but we are where we are.

“Telford’s a team you always look out for – it’s a great stadium to play at, and the supporters as well are great.

“A good number of fans made the trip to Brackley on Saturday – and that’s a good way for them to come.

“I’ve always looked out for them so hopefully I can help them stay in this division as this club shouldn’t be in a relegation battle.”

Marsden has played 38 league games – 31 of those starts – for County over two seasons, scoring nine goals

He arrived at Telford last week, for the remainder of the campaign, after struggling to find regular game time at Edgeley Park in recent weeks.

He used to play for Shrewsbury Town, making his debut there in 2013 and playing three games until a foot injury resulted in a long spell on the sidelines and an eventual parting of ways between him and the club.

Since then, he has played at Southport, Lincoln City, Macclesfield Town, Colwyn Bay and County.

With the chance to get regular games under his belt again, Marsden is determined to prove his worth and show why Shrewsbury – and before them, Stoke City – decided to take a punt on him.

“I played games early on (this season) and it’s been tough as all of the lads at Stockport have been doing really well,” he said.

“They’re in a promotion race and it’s been hard to get myself back in because of the way those lads have been playing there.

“It’s not down to any other factor than that, the boys have been playing well at the end of the day.”

He added: “For me, it was about coming here and getting games and scoring as many goals as I can, as any forward wants to do.

“There’s no better feeling than putting the ball in the back of the net, and the confidence that brings as well.

“The second I get off the mark, you’ll see the best of John Marsden.”