Thornaby FC co-boss Craig Skelton has challenged his players to deliver a “pre-Christmas feast of points” as the team prepares for a critical run of home fixtures that could help them climb the Ebac Northern League Division One table.
The Blues currently sit in 16th place with 19 points. Joint managers Skelton and Simon Kasonali are keen to see their team close the 11-point gap to the top ten after a frustrating recent home run last week saw only a point gained from two games close to them, Birtley (2-2) and Newcastle Benfield (1-2).
Skelton believes a new-look Thornaby is displaying plenty of positive signs and he is determined to turn those performances into more victories at Teesdale Park before December 25.
The focus begins this Saturday when bottom side Whickham heads south. This will be followed by two further challenging Tyneside visitors, Whitley Bay (4th) on December 16 and Newcastle Blue Star (13th) on December 20.
Skelton said: “We have a fantastic opportunity in the next couple of weeks with three home games on the bounce before Christmas.
“We know where we are in the table, and while we’ve shown flashes of quality recently, we need to show that killer instinct to get the results we deserve.
“This is a bug period for us. I’ve challenged the lads to deliver a pre-Christmas feast of points for the fans and ourselves to propel us up the league table. We expect to take points from these games.”
Last weekend, the joint management team was frustrated after slipping up against Newcastle Benfield, who climbed up to 12th on 27 points.
The visitors went two goals up before half-time through Joseph Thompson and Andre Bennett. Kieron Parnaby’s 68th minute strike pulled one back for Thornaby, but they couldn’t find the equaliser.
Thornaby have endured a stop-start run recently in the league, but the schedule after Christmas presents more opportunities at the Acklam Road ground with home dates against West Auckland and Penrith before travelling to Newcastle Benfield on January 10.
Thornaby Women’s team is not in action again until the New Year.
Tickets are available from £2 for u16s, £4 for concessions and £7 for adults. Programme’s can also be purchased at the gate for £2.
