Willenhall boss Mel Eves reckons he’s cracked the secret of getting results on the road - staying away from games.
The Lockmen picked up their first away point of the season in midweek, earning a 1-1 draw at Rothwell Town.
Eves missed the game because of prior commitments, and revealed he was also absent from the touchline when his side forced an FA Trophy replay with Belper Town after a 1-1 draw in Derbyshire.
Every one of Willenhall’s other away games so far this season has ended in defeat.
And it’s left Eves wondering whether his absence is key to curing his side’s travel sickness.
“I wasn’t at the game on Wednesday so that must be the secret because I wasn’t there when we drew at Belper either,” joked Eves.
“Maybe me keeping away is the way we get get results away from home.
“On Wednesday I was at a function with Wolves legends at Bar Sport in Cannock, which was arranged ages ago.
“The Rothwell game was re-arranged and we only found out last week it was on Wednesday.
“We normally play our midweek games on a Tuesday night and so do Rothwell, because we played them at their place on a Tuesday night last season.
“But because the floodlights at their ground aren’t working it had to be played at Kettering on Wednesday.
“It was just a coincidence that the two things clashed.”
Willenhall’s point at Rothwell brought to an end a three game losing streak, which saw them crash out of the Errea League Cup 3-0 at home to Sutton Coldfield, lose 5-0 at Aylesbury in the league and bow out of the FA Trophy 3-1 against local rivals Hednesford Town.
Eves believes the midweek point was a step in the right direction for the Lockmen - despite being happy enough with his side’s performance in losing to the Pitmen.
“It was a good response on Wednesday, but one we expected because we have got some good players,” said Eves.
“We knew the results that went before were a minor blip, despite conceding 11 goals in three games and scoring only one.
“I thought the performance against Hednesford was better even though we didn’t get a result.
“I felt a draw was possibly a fair result and that the scoreline flattered them because they scored right at the death.
“When you lose 3-1 people think it was comfortable for the other side, but it was far from it.
“To come back from three games like we’ve had with a good draw away from home was a step in the right direction.”
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