Ford plays down title talk as leaders face life on the road

Banbury United's Felipe Barcelos bagged his third goal in as many games against Bridgwater Town

The Puritans face three Evo-Stik Southern League away games in quick succession as they bid to hold on to top spot in Division One South & West.

United travel to Mangotsfield on Saturday before a tough challenge at Taunton Town four days later and they round off Slimbridge before returning to Spencer Stadium. They are now the team to be shot down and Ford will be doing all he can to make sure that doesn’t happen.

He said: “I’m the manager of this football club. I was brought in by the Board because they thought I was the best person to get them back up, so it’s my job to run the team.

“I’ve got to make sure the players keep their feet on the ground because there was a lot of celebrating over the weekend from players and supporters. But if you start to celebrate before you’ve won anything you will come unstuck.

“We’re top of the league but we haven’t achieved anything yet. We were team of the month for January and I expect us to get it for February too.

“But we’ve had a tough couple of weeks, physically and mentally. We’ve had great wins against North Leigh, at Tiverton Town and against Winchester City. Now we’ve got three away games and we have to approach them all the same way.”

Callum White looks likely to miss Saturday’s trip to Mangotsfield Town, where Mark Bell will serve the final game of his three-match suspension.

Ford was delighted with Tuesday’s attendance and added: “To get 300 for midweek was great and the fans were right behind us again. We’ll be doing all we can to keep them coming down between now and the end of the season.”