Although our recent run of only one defeat in nine games came to an end on Saturday, I think the recent form that the team has shown has really given us the belief that we could be looking at an excellent finish to this season and can look forward to next season with anticipation. The board has been working hard behind the scenes to secure the current squad for the next couple of seasons, both the exciting young players and the very important senior players. With a few more additions, which I know Colin Lippiat is working hard on already, there is no reason why we shouldn't be amongst the challengers for the title next season.
The Rushden game on Tuesday night showed just how far we have progressed as far as team spirit and character are concerned. A few months ago going down by two goals we could possibly have folded and lost by an even bigger margin, but helped by an excellent all round team performance we not only fought back, but in the end were unlucky not to take all three points. Ben Smith was again outstanding and was raved about in the local Northampton press. I know that Brian Talbot made some enquiries through a third party, good job he signed his contract before the game! Lee Archer also had a stormer and tore poor Tim Wooding to shreds in the second half especially.
We are all very keen to finish in the top ten this season and are desperate not to let the season fade out disappointingly. With two home games left I would like to think we could get maximum points from them. The Leek game away will be a tough one especially if Leek are fighting for their lives in the conference so I would be looking for seven points at least from our remaining three games.
On the day after the Rushden game Yeovil Town were in action again! This time in the GMVC golf day at Telford Country Club. Yeovil entered two teams of three (except one team only had two players) in a field of about 24 teams. Myself, Warren Patmore and Alan Clarke (no not "sniffer" Clarke, a hotel owner in Rushden who kindly put us up at short notice the night before and served us drinks until the small hours!) a late substitute with the other team being made up of Tony Pounder and Johnny Miller. We managed to finish a respectable fourth and Warren also won the longest drive with an absolute monster which had people coming out of the clubhouse in disbelief. Fortunately, they had all gone in soon after as Warren took four to get down from the just off the green! Hednesford I think were the eventual winners. Bandits!
Steve Stott
27th April 1998
