AFC Telford aiming to keep up hot streak

Back-to-back wins in National League North have left the Bucks – who have also made it to the first round of the FA Cup – just two points off the play-offs after 14 games, writes Joe Edwards.

On recent evidence, Telford are definitely in with a shout of getting there.

Since a shift to a 4-5-1 formation, they have been gaining momentum and appear to have a potent frontline, competent midfield and solid defence.

They won 2-0 at bottom-of-the-table North Ferriby United and Edwards wants a similar showing at Trinity, who have won just three games this term.

“I was pleased with Saturday, but that’s gone now,” he said.

“We have to just try to keep the run going.

“If we do the fundamentals right, we know that we can come away with something.

“Saturday was tough and this will be the same, it’s never easy – you have to work for everything you get in football.

“We are the ones on the coach again – two long trips in a matter of days is never easy so we have to manage that.

“We had a good session with 12 of them though yesterday, doing a bit of analysis on Saturday, so we are prepared.”

On Saturday, Edwards surprised fans by dropping Henry Cowans – a player who has stood out in recent weeks – for Jordan Lussey.

The move paid off though as Lussey opened the scoring at Grange Lane before Elliot Newby sealed the three points late on.

The Bucks chief spoke of that change, and hinted at one or two more tonight.

“We know we have got a few areas where we can mix and match now, freshen things up,” he said.

“We may do that tonight. The players respect my decisions and know it is a squad game, so I have to look at that.

“If you keep having players play every single game, they will get tired.

“It won’t be wholesale changes, but we might make one or two.”

Telford lost 3-1 at Northolme last year.

Very much a day to forget, they could have lost by more and had Ben Bailey sent off for two bookable offences.

For this game, they will welcome back Aaron Hayden as the defender has completed a three-match ban.

The Wolves loanee is likely to be on the bench while Ross White fills in at centre-half in place of injured skipper Shane Sutton.

John Marsden hurt his ankle at North Ferriby and should travel with the squad, but may not start as he is not thought to be at 100 per cent. Cowans could return to the starting XI in his place.

Ryan Wilson is set to continue at left-back following the departure of Jordan Gough.

Matthew Barnes-Homer will not be in the squad as he has dual-registered with Halesowen Town.

Edwards added: “We want to put in another good performance for the supporters, that brings about the right result.”