Play-offs are up for grabs now says Ford

The Puritans have edged closer to the Evo-Stik Southern League play-offs to set up an exciting run-in.

Having chalked up their fourth straight premier division success against Chesham United on Tuesday, the Puritans are now just three points off the final play-off spot.

That is occupied by Merthyr Town but United are now on their tails, looking to take advantage of any slip.

United travel to Chesham for Saturday’s return fixture and Ford said: “Of course we can make the play-offs now. We’ve got the bit between our teeth at the moment.

“We had an eight-point gap a couple of weeks ago and now it’s down to three, so there is all to play for in the remaining games.

“The top two, Chippenham and Leamington, are long gone but the teams just above us need to be looking over their shoulders. For the ones who have been in the top five all season to drop out now would be a huge disappointment for them.

“We’re after them, we’re playing well and we’ll go to Chesham on Saturday to try to win the game. If we don’t then the other teams will have to start winning to try to pull away from us.

“We’re in a great position, breathing down the necks of Merthyr, Slough and Hitchin. For us to be in this position with seven games to go, on 70 points, is fantastic.

“But it’s not enough, so we need to score more goals, keep more clean sheets and win more games to get more points.”

George Nash could be back in contention for Saturday but Jack Self is unavailable.