Long warns Rushall not to underestimate in-form Workington whose position 'means nothing'
Ian Long has warned his Rushall Olympic not to be complacent against early strugglers Workington AFC who are enjoying a “new manager bounce”.
The Pics, who sit 15th in the Northern Premier League, host one-from-bottom Workington who have just three league wins so far this season tomorrow.
However, after they have won their past two matches, one under new boss Billy Barr, and having welcomed former Blackburn defender Tyler Magloire, Rushall boss Long expects a stern test.
He said: “It is such a tight league. We have got games in hand on some sides, others have got them on us.
“It is really difficult to get a run together, everyone is really evenly matched, there are no really outstanding sides. At the same time, there are no poor sides.
“I think in the Southern league there would be three or four who you would play and fancy your chances against.
“We face Workington who have won their last two, so we know it is going to be a really tough game.
“They are in better form than us in recent games, so their position means nothing.
“They have had a new manager come in, they have that new manager bounce, and they have just signed an ex football league defender who is highly thought of too.
“They will be a different side all together to the one that sits second from bottom and full of confidence.
“It is a different proposition to what it would have been a couple of weeks ago so we cannot be complacent that’s for sure.”
Like Workington, the Pics are looking to go three league matches unbeaten this weekend. Their recent upturn followed a difficult spell including five losses in six.
“We had a wobble,” Long admitted. “We had a really good start to the season, but then a disappointing couple of months.
“Some performances have been decent but we haven’t quite got the rub of the green, others have not been so good and we have got what we deserved.
“It has been a mixed bag. But, we managed to grind out a win at Stocksbridge and followed that up with a really good positive point at Gainsborough.
“That’s four points from two tough away days so hopefully it is a bit of a turning point.”
Rushall have won just two of their seven home league matches so far this season, while two of Workington’s three victories have come away from home.
Elsewhere, in the Southern Central Premier, Halesowen Town host Spalding United looking to return to winning ways. The Yeltz sit ninth in the standings, three points adrift of the play-off spots, with six wins from their opening 15 league games.
After going unbeaten in three, they tasted defeat at Bury Town last weekend.
Afterwards, boss Russell Penn said: "We are just becoming one of everybody else, that is probably where we are at the moment. There is no consistency in our results."
Meanwhile, league rivals Stourbridge welcome Bromsgrove Sporting looking to continue their upturn in results. Following a three-game losing streak, the Glassboys earned a point at Stratford Town last weekend before seeing off Racing Club Warwick in the Birmingham Senior Cup midweek.
In the National league North, Kidderminster Harriers entertain Corby Town in the FA Trophy second round, hoping to advance to the third round stage for the fifth consecutive year. Winning teams at this stage will pocket £3,750.
