Puritans ready for hard slog says Ford

Banbury United boss Mike Ford will be making sure his players are ready for what he calls the 'heavy slog' period .
Banbury United manager Mike FordBanbury United manager Mike Ford
Banbury United manager Mike Ford

The Puritans have made an encouraging start to life back in the top tier of the Evo-Stik Southern League and Ford is delighted with the points’ return.

United are in the top six and Ford said: “We are 13 games in and have 21 points, I would have snapped your hand off for that at the start of the season.

“We’re now getting to the heavy slog period of the season, league and cup games on Saturdays and midweek. We’re still a bit naive at times but the players keep churning out the results.

“We’ve conceded the first goal in each one of the last five games but the players have got back into it each time.”

Next up for United is Tuesday’s clash with third-placed Chippenham Town at the Banbury Plant Hire Community Stadium.

The Puritans won 1-0 at Chippenham last month but Ford said: “Tuesday’s game will be more difficult than the one at their place, when we weren’t expected to get anything from it.

“I’m sure Chippenham will want to put that right on Tuesday but we should have a really good crowd down here and it should be a cracking game, sixth against third.”

Ford says his squad is stronger now and was keen to sing the praises of his unsung heroes who have kept the club progressing.

He said: “Players like Callum White and Jack Westbrook just go out and play wherever they are asked to.

“And Ricky Johnson will also play in defence or attack for us. I felt he benefitted from playing at the back when he went back up front at Cambridge.”