Ford staying calm ahead of top-of-the-table clash

The Puritans face two Evo-Stik Southern League games in four days, ones which will surely have a major influence on their play-off push or, as is now increasingly likely, a possible championship tilt.

The Puritans entertain Division One South & West leaders Winchester City on Saturday before taking on Bridgwater Town on Tuesday. There is no doubt that Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash is the key game but Ford will be keen for his players to approach it like any other.

Ford said: “It’s a big game but, come 4.45pm if we win it won’t guarantee us promotion, and, if we lose, it won’t be the end of our challenge for the play-offs.

“It’s just another game, there is no added pressure.

“Taunton and Tiverton are the easy games for us because they are right up there, games like the one at Bishops Cleeve are the hard ones because we are expected to win them.

“The players are now starting to realise they are on the fringes of success here. There is a strong belief throughout the squad that we can achieve something.”