Hessenthaler confident of Vines impact

With both first choice strikers on the injury list, Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler wasted no time in drafting in highly experienced forward Rowan Vines as cover until the end of the season.

The on-loan Queens Park Rangers man came off the bench during the Gills 2-2 draw at Bradford on Saturday and Hessenthaler says the decision to bring in Vines was virtually ‘a no brainer.’

Following Saturday’s match the Priestfield boss said: “Rowan isn’t match fit – he has been at QPR for a while and he’s still under contract there. To be fair to the lad he’s just hungry to get out to try and get some games and for me it was a no brainer as there was no cost in it for us.”

Top scorer Danny Kedwell picked up a back injury during last Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat to promotion chasing Crawley Town and with Gavin Tomlin also sidelined, Hessenthaler was pleased to bring in a player of Vines’ experience.

He added: “We will try and get him as fit as we can over the next eight games with us and I think he will be an asset. He’s experienced, he’s one that can come on and he showed glimpses on Saturday.”

Morrell remains positive on title hopes despite defeat

Wrexham slipped nine points adrift of Blue Square bet Premier leaders Fleetwood Town after suffering a shock 2-1 home defeat to Forest Green Rovers on Saturday.

Forest Green are the first side this season to complete a league double over Andy Morrell’s side, but even so the Wrexham boss was satisfied with the performance.

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales Morrell said: “I think we’ve done alright today, we’ve played alright and created a few chances and then we get hit with a sucker punch right at the end.”

The Dragons were on course for a 16^th home win of the season when they took a first half lead thanks to Jake Speight’s 17^th league goal of the campaign.

However, the visitors restored parity just past the hour mark through Matt Taylor, who incidentally scored the winning goal in the reserve fixture at the start of the year.

Incredibly, with Wrexham pushing for a winner in the dying moments, Forest Green completed the turnaround when James Norwood pounced, to condemn the hosts to a first home defeat since September.

Morrell bemoaned his side’s sloppiness during a frantic second half which could prove pivotal in the title race.

He continued: “Second half we were especially sloppy, I thought the first half we were good got in their faces and got the goal and could have perhaps scored again. Second half we took our foot of the gas and we get hit with two horrendous goals.”

With eight games remaining the Dragons hopes of making an automatic return to the Football League much depend on next month’s visit to Highbury when they face leaders Fleetwood.

Morrell has refused to give up on the title, but admits that Wrexham will probably need to win each of their outstanding games to have a chance of overhauling the Cod Army.

He added: “There’s a lot of Football to be played, we will give it a go; Football has surprised a few people in its time. We’ve got to win eight and see where it takes us, if we win all of them then that’s fantastic and if it’s not then we go into the playoffs.”

Bees pass crucial relegation test

League Two strugglers Barnet faced a vital ‘six-pointer’ on Friday evening when they travelled to Macclesfield Town.

Lawrie Sanchez’s side were sitting just three points above the relegation places before the game, after a run of just one win in their previous 10 games, a spell which has seen the Bees slide from the comfort of mid-table to the fringes of the relegation zone.

Before the game, Barnet captain Mark Hughes said he was expecting a difficult match, against a Macclesfield side who recently parted company with former manager Gary Simpson.

Hughes told the club's website prior to the game: “It’s going to be a battle, it’s not really a surprise because we are all fighting for our lives down at the bottom and the team that wins tonight will be the one that shows the greatest endeavour and determination.”

As it was, it was almost inevitable that a 0-0 stalemate followed, as Macclesfield extended their run without a win in League Two to 15 games. They now sit just one point clear of the bottom two having played a game more.

Barnet had scored a late equaliser earlier in the week to earn a draw with an improving Dagenham & Redbridge side at Underhill and Hughes believes that the Bees can take plenty of positives from that game.

“We can take something out of the game, we came back twice and we didn’t let any setbacks get us down. These are the things that you can build on.”

Two points from games against sides in relegation trouble isn't a fantastic haul, but Barnet will be happier than Macclesfield to be able to add another point to their season's tally.

Five of Barnet’s last nine games this campaign are against teams in the top six, with home matches against leaders and Johnstones Paint Trophy finalists Swindon Town, Torquay and Crawley, as well as trips to Southend United and Cheltenham.

This put firm emphasis on Friday night’s encounter and, after securing a point that takes them four points clear of the relegation places, the Bees hope they can push on and rekindle the form that they enjoyed at the start of the year, when they picked up four wins from their first five league games of 2012.

Daish looking for strong Fleet finish

Ebbsfleet’s return to the Blue Square Bet Premier has been far more successful than their previous campaign in the English fifth tier two seasons ago, when they were relegated.
 

With nine games remaining, the Kent club sit 13 points clear of the battle to avoid the drop but Manager Liam Daish is refusing to admit that the Fleet are already safe for another season.

Speaking to BBC Radio Kent Daish said: “ We won’t be counting on anything until we’re mathematically certain of avoiding relegation, we’re now within our last 10 games and I want us to finish strong.”

Daish’s side began the season in indifferent form, picking up just one victory in their opening 10 matches. However Daish, who guided Ebbsfleet to playoff success last year, is insistent that the Kent club’s slow start will be considered irrelevant if the Fleet can engineer a strong finish to the campaign.

He continued: “It doesn’t matter what you have done in the first 10 league games, what sticks in people’s minds about players is what they do in the last 10 games of the season.”

Six of Ebbsfleet’s remaining nine games are against teams in the lower half of the Blue Square Premier table, and the former Cambridge defender is looking to accumulate as many points as possible in order to cement the Fleet’s mid-table position.

Daish added: “I want us to amass as many points as we can and finish as strongly as we can, that’s what we will continue to do.”

One of Ebbsfleet’s main downfalls to their relegation during the 2009/10 campaign was their inconsistency away from home. But after three successive wins away from Stonebridge Road, Daish has been left delighted by the Kent club’s recent run of results.

He concluded: “We’ve won our last three away games which is massive, we’re up to forty-six points which is terrific, but we’ve still got a bit of work to do and we want to keep our foot on the pedal.”

In slightly more disappointing news, Daish has confirmed that goalkeeper Preston Edwards will need to have an operation on his ankle which will rule him out of the rest of the season. Stand-in ‘keeper Lance Cronin will continue to wear the number one shirt in Edwards' absence.

Hessenthaler revels in Gillingham’s performance of the season

Andy Hessenthaler hailed his side as ‘almost perfect’ following Gillingham’s excellent 3-0 victory at League Two, automatic promotion contenders Cheltenham Town.

Two goals from the impressive Jordan Obita and a late third from midfielder Chris Whelpdale capped off a tremendous win for the Kent-based club as they continue to snap at the heels of the teams amongst the playoffs.

“It’s right up there.” Hessenthaler told BBC Radio Kent. “To come to Cheltenham, with the season they are having, to score three and keep a clean sheet says it all.”

After a terrible start to the New Year, in which the Gills went seven games without a win, Hessenthaler’s side are now one of the form teams in the division with 5 wins in their last six games, leaving their manager praising the Kent clubs togetherness heading into the final part of the season.

Hessenthaler continued: "The dressing room's so together we want to work really hard and achieve something this season.”

Another pleasing note for the Preistfield boss is the return to fitness of numerous key players including defender Andy Frampton and top scorer Joe Kuffour to bolster a previously depleted looking Gills squad. However the performances of several younger members has left the former Dover Athletic manager delighted, with many first teamer’s still on the sidelines.

Hessenthaler added: “It was always a concern with the amount of players that we had missing. But the performances of the younger ones, Connor Essam, Obita, Jack Payne and Olly Lee they’re still only young boys, but I thought the dressing room was right.”

With 10 matches remaining the Gills are right in the promotion hunt and Hessenthaler believes that his side’s desire to accomplish something this campaign is the key to their recent success on the pitch.

He concluded:  “The squad is so together at the moment and even the ones that were not here today we really want to achieve something this season so it didn’t surprise me that we could come here and get a result.”

Coleman - Rochdale’s next two home games are must win

Languishing at the foot of the Npower League One table, Rochdale embark on two home league matches which could make or break their campaign according to manager John Coleman.

The Dale slipped to bottom after a run of one win in their last seven league matches and Coleman has pinpointed the two consecutive home matches against Oldham and Tranmere as an ideal opportunity to relieve their relegation fears. “Without a doubt we have got to win both.” Coleman told BBC Radio Manchester. “If we’re going to have any chance of getting out of the predicament that we’re in we have to win our home games.”

Rochdale’s last six league matches have been against teams in and around the playoff picture and Coleman is fully aware that despite Dale’s recent winless run, they have picked up four draws in a difficult recent spell. Coleman continued: “In the last three weeks we’ve played three sides in the top four and we haven’t lost to any of them, two of being away from home. So we’re not as bad as people think.”

Coleman has raided his former club Accrington Stanley to bring in experienced defender Phil Edwards and believes that he can bring something to his struggling team in the long term as well as the short term. He added: “Phil is a good footballer and a very good professional, with an eye on next season I thought it was an opportunity that we couldn’t pass up.”

Pugh wastes no time in making mark for U’s

Cambridge United striker Andy Pugh scored his first goal for the club in Tuesday’s Blue Square Bet Premier victory over Barrow at the Abbey Stadium.

Since arriving from Blue Square South promotion contenders Welling in late January, Pugh has been limited to just four first team appearances as he continues to recover from a niggling knee injury which forced an original delay to his transfer to the U’s. But his 88^th minute winner secured a first win in four home games for Cambridge as they continue their pursuit of a playoff place.

“One bit of quality that’s why we bought him here.” Cambridge United manager Jez George told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire after Tuesday’s victory. “He’s a sniffer and he took his goal very well.”

Interest in the former Wings striker was in high demand with several Football league clubs trying to secure his signature, but Pugh decided to link up with George at Cambridge in anticipation of a quick return to the English third tier following his spell at Gillingham five years ago.

Despite a recent dip in form, the U’s are only nine points adrift of the top six and Cambridge boss George is confident that a partnership up front beaten Pugh and fellow newcomer Michael Gash, could be the ingredient to a late playoff charge by his side. He continued: “We’ve got to get an understanding between him (Gash) and Pugh. Their link up play gave us a good solid shape and we rode our luck at times. But there have been times this season when things have gone against us so I’m really pleased to grind out a win.”

Cambridge supporters will be hoping that with Pugh up and running, his goals can fire the U’s into the playoffs. However, with matches against leaders Fleetwood, Wrexham and York still to play, the final part of the season will be a tough examination for George’s side.

Day hails deserved victory

Welling United boss Jamie Day praised his side’s defensive efforts after the Wings picked up a valuable victory at fellow Blue Square bet South, promotion rivals Chelmsford City.

It was the Kent-based clubs third consecutive league win, and one that Day believes was well deserved as the Wings stayed in touch with leaders Woking ahead of next Saturday’s much anticipated showdown with the Cards. “It was a really good performance.” Day told the clubs website. “I thought we performed magnificently and in my opinion I think we got what we deserved.”

The Wings had to withstand a barrage of Chelmsford pressure late on but came through to record their second away victory of the New Year. The rear guard display delighted Day who was quick to praise his battling side. He added: “I thought the back four were magnificent today, it was a good team performance.”

Although the win has cemented Welling’s playoff place, Day believes that his side need to keep churning out results to ensure their season will extend into May. He continued: “We came here last year and we beat them but then we ended up tailing off, we need to kick on again and get as many wins as we can.”

The promotion contenders now face three away games on the trot starting with next Saturday’s clash with Woking and Day is adamant that his side will focus on one game at a time. He included: “We will take each game as it comes, it was a difficult game today and it will be exactly the same next Saturday.” Even so, Day is confident that his side can be just the second team to beat the league leaders at their home ground this season if the Wings can perform to a similar standard. “If we put in a performance like that, hopefully we can get three points.”

Despite just six points separating Welling and the top of the table, Day is insistent that Woking remain the team to beat and that the title is still firmly within their grasp. He added: “It’s down to them to lose, their still in a great position and I think if you ask any manager they would be delighted to be six points clear at this stage of the season.”

Welling seem to be hitting form at just the right time, three wins on the bounce ahead of the trip to Kingfield will give every Wings fan optimism. The title race is far from over and next Saturday could be a decisive point that could shape the destiny of the league championship.

Wrexham maintain pressure on leaders Fleetwood

“Brilliant” was how Wrexham boss Andy Morrell described his players following Wednesday’s 2-0 win against fellow Blue Square bet Premier promotion contenders Luton Town, a victory which keeps the Dragons within touching distance of leaders Fleetwood.

Wrexham opened the scoring after only six minutes with striker Danny Wright heading in his fourth goal of the campaign and Morrell pinpointed the quick start as the main catalyst as his side picked up a valuable three points in their push for automatic promotion. Speaking to BBC Radio Wales Morrell said: “The lads were brilliant today; especially first half we were right at it and to get the early goal was good.”

Midfielder Dean Keates added a second before the break to secure the victory and, in the process, the Dragons closed the gap at the top to five points after Fleetwood’s 2-1 victory against Grimsby Town. Morrell continued: “We can only do what we can do; we can only look after our three points that we can get from each game.”

Despite suffering just two league defeats in their last 10 matches, Morrell has admitted that Wrexham’s last two performances were below par and has expressed his delighted in the recapture of form which had deserted the Dragons in recent weeks. He added: “The lads have been fully focused on improving from our last two games where we were not particularly fantastic. I’m delighted to be back to where we were and that’s the standards we need to set ourselves from now on.”

Next up for the Welsh club is a home meeting with Barrow, who are one of only five teams that have beaten Wrexham so far this season and Morrell, is anticipating a similarly difficult match against Dave Bayliss’, playoff chasing side. He concluded: “We have to make sure we are in the same frame of mind for the match against Barrow. We need to be right at it again to get anything out of the match.”

Accrington Stanley: are they struggling to come to terms with life after Coleman?

John Coleman’s successful 13 year stay with Npower League Two side Accrington Stanley came to an end when he took up the reins at League One strugglers Rochdale. But has his departure left Stanley in a vulnerable position?

When Coleman left for Spotland at the end of January, he left his former employers on the fringes of the playoff places and with a realistic chance of claiming a fourth promotion under his leadership.

However, with the former Southport striker off to face an ominous League One relegation battle with The Dale, Stanley’s transitional period of life after Coleman hasn’t so far had the desired effect. Although the Lancashire based club sit comfortably in mid-table, there is a danger that under new boss Paul Cook the Crown Ground club’s original aspirations of gaining a place in the English third tier, could be replaced with the long term longevity of trying to remain in the Football League.

Without a win in his first four games in charge, Cook secured his first point with Saturday’s 2-2 draw with financially impaired Port Vale, and with it came the first two goals under the former Stanley midfielder’s regime. Nonetheless the previous three defeats had surrendered eight goals giving Stanley fans a negative portrayal of how the club would react to Coleman’s exit.

The remaining 13 games of this season will provide an indication of where the club is likely to head in the near future. The League Two outfit face a tricky end to the campaign with trips to promotion chasers Southend, Torquay and Cheltenham still on the horizon.

Even though the club look safe in mid-table looking at it from a long term perspective, the departure of the clubs longest serving manager and the third longest serving manager in English Football, could still have bearing on the route that the club will take.

Hessenthaler pleased with upturn in form

Gillingham’s League Two playoff prospects are looking more and more encouraging after they picked up a hard fought 1-0 victory at relegation threatened Plymouth Argyle, leaving Manager Andy Hessenthaler buoyant by the recent upturn in performances.

A third league win in a row for a much changed Gillingham squad, was the perfect response for boss Hessenthaler following the Gills woeful start to 2012. A run of six games without a win was ended with a 2-0 home win against fellow promotion hopefuls Torquay at the Preistfield Stadium last weekend, the Kent club followed that up with an enthralling 5-4 victory against Hereford during the week.

Saturday’s success at Plymouth has lifted the Gills back onto the fringes of the playoffs and Hessenthaler was delighted with the character shown despite the dismissal of goal scorer Joe Martin during an eventful first half for the defender. Speaking to BBC Radio Kent Hessenthaler said:  “We had to make five changes which had been forced upon us, and Jo Kuffour wasn't fully fit. Going down to 10 men shows the character of the players we've got at this club and I was proud of them.”

The victory over Torquay was described by the Gillingham boss as a top level performance, but Hessenthaler believes that the 1-0 victory at Home Park ranks above the win over the Devon club. Hessenthaler continued: “The win over Torquay was a top performance but today's was above that, it was an incredible siege mentality.”

The Gills push for a playoff place continues when they entertain a Barnet side, who by contrast have not won since being knocked out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy by Swindon Town at the start of February. Even so Hessenthaler is fully aware of the threat that the Bees pose and in striker Izale Mcleod, the North Londoners have League Two’s top marksman, giving the former Dover Athletic boss valid cause for concern. He added: “Mcleod always seems to have a decent game against us, he has scored seven times in his last three games – we will have to try and keep him quiet. It won’t be an easy game they have pace up front and it will be tough for us.”