Ian Long demands ruthless edge as Rushall Olympic aim to end winless run
Ian Long has urged his Rushall Olympic side to sharpen up in front of goal as they aim to halt their winless run at F.C. United of Manchester.
The Pics are currently winless in their last five Northern Premier League outings and suffered further frustration last week when they were dumped out of the FA Cup by Gainsborough Trinity - a game decided by a controversial late penalty that left Long incensed.
Ahead of this weekend’s trip to Broadhurst Park, the Pics boss has urged his players to improve their second-half performances and be more clinical in front of goal.
Long said: “We’ve got to put the ball in the net. We have had really good spells and missed good chances.
“We are not scoring the goals that we should and that is disappointing. We are a bit reliant on set plays.
“We also have an issue where we are not starting the second half very well, we have conceded six goals in the first 12 minutes of the second halves.
“We have got a good blend of experience and youth, and we need to be concentrating a lot better when we take to the field after the break.”
F.C. United of Manchester remain unbeaten at home this season. The club was formed in 2005 by Manchester United supporters opposed to the takeover by American businessman Malcolm Glazer.
As a Manchester United fan himself, Long is relishing the trip to Broadhurst Park, where attendances have reached as high as 1,712 this season. However, he may be forced to watch from the sidelines after being sent off during the FA Cup defeat last weekend.
“I am hoping that I am not suspended and that it holds out a little longer,” he added.
“I always think around the 10 game mark, the league starts to take shape. It’s going to be tough, but I am really looking forward to it.
“It should be a big crowd, they are going well, it’s a good facility and I am looking forward to visiting it as a big Manchester United fan.”
League rivals Hednesford Town host second-placed Gainsborough Trinity aiming to extend their four-game unbeaten league run. The Pitmen sit fourth, just two points off top spot after nine matches.
In the Southern Central Premier, Stourbridge visit Redditch United chasing a second win in three, while Halesowen Town host St Ives Town after hitting six in the FA Cup midweek. Both sides have nine points from seven games.
In the National League North, sixth-placed Kidderminster Harriers are hoping to stretch their unbeaten run to five league games, despite an FA Cup defeat to AFC Telford. They trail leaders South Shields by five points.
