Rob Edwards: AFC Telford can mix it with the best

The Bucks were thrashed 6-0 at home by the Saints before losing 2-1 away to them last season, writes Joe Edwards.

And Brackley beat Rob Edwards’ side 3-1 in August – the second game of the campaign.

They have been a bogey team for Telford and are doing superbly in National League North.

Second in the table, and with the second best defensive record in the division, they are yet to lose at St James Park this term.

All signs seem to point towards a victory for Kevin Wilkin’s charges, but Edwards is not in a defeatist mood. In fact, quite the opposite.

“Brackley are very well drilled, very organised, and they have quite a lot of experience at this level,” said Edwards.

“That squad has been together for a long time.

“The manager knows the level very well and so do the players.

“They are a good side, we know that, and want to play good football – and we’ll certainly look to go and match that.

“We are looking forward to the challenge.

“Everyone believes that we can compete with these teams.

“We are not just looking to go there compete and come away with nothing.

“We want to compete, match them, and get something from the game.”

Telford go into the clash having lost their last four games on the road in all competitions, conceding eight goals along the way.

They are 13th on 25 points – six points off the play-offs – and are looking to bounce back from their FA Trophy exit at the hands of league rivals Blyth Spartans on Tuesday night.

The Bucks’ 3-1 loss to Brackley earlier this term was lively, with two own goals and as many close-range finishes.

Two Saints strikes within a minute, courtesy of Andy Brown and Jordan Gough putting the ball into his own net, knocked the stuffing out of Telford before half-time.

Lee Ndlovu made it three shortly after the interval but the hosts pulled one back – an Ellis Myles own goal – as they finished the second half a lot better than the first.

“I thought the game against Brackley earlier in the season, we matched them for large spells,” said Edwards.

“After conceding two around the half-hour mark, we put them under pressure in the second half.

“I don’t think we were a million miles from them.

“I thought we were organised on Tuesday at Blyth Spartans as well, there were some positives, but it was just the final third that we didn’t get right. We’re working on that, to get it right at Brackley.”

Top goalscorer Marcus Dinanga is expected to return to the starting line-up after coming on as a substitute at Croft Park.

He will likely play up front with Sylvan Ebanks-Blake – who played with Edwards at Wolves.

Midfielders Henry Cowans and Jon Royle missed the Blyth game through injury.

Edwards expects to have former Villa youngster Cowans back fit for tomorrow’s match at St James Park, but not Royle.