JOHNNY Smith reckons a quartet of Newhall United reserve players are on the verge of regular first-team action after impressing in last week’s 3-1 win at Willington.
The Blues boss took Josh Johnson, James Eames, Jamie Worker and Stuart Watson to Twyford Road on Saturday.
And Johnson was one of the goalscorers as Newhall won the Midlands Regional Alliance clash.
“If they aren’t fighting for a first-team place at the club next season I’d be very surprised,” said Smith. “Stuart always does a good job, either in goal or coming on up front.
“The other lads have got a lot of promise and I hope they’ll be involved.
“Josh Johnson was outstanding last week. He knows where the goal is and is a big, strong lad.”
Willington featured former Notts County and Mansfield Town striker Danny Martin last week – but the Blues limited the ex-Football League man’s impact on the game.
“You could tell he had some quality when he was on the ball,” said Smith. “But, without being dirty, our lads let him know they were there and he struggled to get into the game.
“It was a decent performance and their pitch is a lot better then ours.
“We love a nice surface and we played well on it.”
Newhall visit Derby Rolls-Royce Leisure on Saturday, kick-off 3pm, looking for another three points to put them right in touch with the top three in the table.
“Last week I didn’t really talk about going out and winning it,” said Smith. “I did’t need to – the lads were just up for it after losing the last two.
“I’m sure this week they’ll go out in exactly the same manner and go at them from the off.”
Nick McInulty (knee) and Richard Draycott (ribs) are the only doubts tomorrow, but both could play through the pain barrier. Matt Burton returns to the squad after missing out last week.
Former Gresley midfielder Carl Slater, who has signed for Newhall until the end of the season, will not be involved after a mix-up in his registration.
BLUES FROM: Baldwin, A Greenhalgh, R Greenhalgh, Foster, Harris, Kilduff, R Draycott, M Draycott, Willars, Potter, McInulty, Burton, Watson, Johnson.
