JOHNNY Smith is looking forward to getting his Newhall United troops back on the battlefield – if the weather holds for the weekend.
The Blues visit South Derbyshire neighbours Willington for a Midlands Regional Alliance clash tomorrow, kick-off 2pm.
It is the club’s first match since December 8 after repeated postponements and empty weekends.
And United boss Smith is looking forward to an attempted double over Willington following a 5-4 home win in August.
“We beat them in the first part of the season,” said the Blues boss. “It was a messy time of the season but we’ve improved since then.
“There’s no reason why we shouldn’t beat them this time around.
“It’s going to be a more difficult game with it being at their place.
“But with the standard the lads are showing we can quite happily get a result against them.”
Newhall are still on an eight-match unbeaten run in the league and there has been great frustration at not being able to extend it into double figures.
“It’s down to me to motivate them,” Smith said. “The lads are well up for it, as you’d expect, but it’s difficult to get back into the swing of things after such a long break.
“They’re ready to go but it’s felt like they’re never going to play again at times.
“It’s felt like a pre-season, with everyone training but no league games to get our teeth into.”
Nick McInulty is the only injury doubt with tight hamstrings, but the outstanding winger is almost certain to start.
BLUES FROM: Baldwin, A Greenhalgh, R Greenhalgh, Foster, Harris, McInulty, R Draycott, Duggins, Kilduff, Potter, M Draycott, Burton, Balfour, Willars.
