Puritans face tricky away days in bid to make play-offs

The Puritans head to lowly St Ives Town for Saturday’s BetVictor Southern League clash before facing a tough trip to in-form Kings Langley three days later.

Although manager Mike Ford will be looking no further ahead than Saturday’s Premier Central fixture, he will know Kings Langley will present a huge challenge as they are also making a late push for the play-offs.

The Puritans are just one point outside the final play-off spot. United head to St Ives looking to make it four wins on the spin to keep their play-off hopes alive.

Ford said: “Clearly there is a lot more expectation at the club now following those three straight wins but all I will say is that there is more optimism now. We lost three on the bounce when we played the top teams without some of our best players and that was a tough run.

“Now we’ve got a full squad again we’re a decent side and make it hard for any team who plays against us. But no-one should underestimate how tough it will be at St Ives Town on Saturday.

“I went to watch them draw against Hednesford on Tuesday and they made it difficult for them. The pitch is not very good and I’m sure they will make like difficult for us on Saturday.

“But we have to get the three points and the players know that, they will not need me telling them how important a victory is.

“If we can get the three points then it means there will be less pressure on us for the game at Kings Langley where a point would be seen as a good one on the back of a victory on Saturday.”