Daventry Town boss Darran Foster has targeted a run of positive results in the next dozen fixtures to maintain his side’s bid for promotion from the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One Central.
The Town boss was delighted with his side’s performance in the 3-0 Boxing Day derby win over Woodford United.
It was Daventry’s second win on the spin, and means they go into Saturday’s home clash with struggling Leighton Town (ko 3pm) sitting in eighth place in the table.
They can climb as high as fifth by winning their games in hand, and can climb even higher if they can beat their rivals when they meet.
And following Saturday’s date with Leighton they do just that as they take on second-placed Rugby Town on New Year’s Day, and fourth-placed Royston on January 5.
These are exciting times at Communications Park, and, speaking on the club website, Foster said: “This is a very important time for us and the next few weeks will be crucial.
“We have already beaten nine of the teams that we are to play in our next 13 fixtures, and we know we can beat them again.
“I know these are not guaranteed victories, but we must be looking to cement a play-off place in the next couple of months.
“We can go above both Guildford and Royston, if we win our games in hand, and would only be five points off Rugby Town and three points away from Burnham.
“We are sitting in a very nice position at the moment and must use it to our advantage.”
And he added: “We need to continue this run of wins, which stands at two successive wins at the moment, well in to the New Year.
“You can be sure every one of the players and management team will be doing everything we can to ensure this winning run continues.
“Rugby Town and Royston Town will be very tough games, but our ambition is to get promoted either as champions or via the play–off final.
“We know these are massive games and we must get something out of these fixtures.”
Jamie Gould scored twice as Woodford were beaten 3-0 on Boxing Day in what was a workmanlike performance.
It wasn’t quite the goal rush many Dav fans would have been anticipating against a Woodford side without a point to their name this season, but Foster was more than satisfied.
“I could not fault the whole squad out there on Boxing Day,” said the Daventry boss.
“We conducted ourselves very well and it was a solid performance from everyone.
“The playing conditions were very heavy, wet sticky conditions across the whole pitch, but we coped really well and were worthy winners, deserving of all three points.”