Boss Richard Ball confident Lye Town can avoid relegation
New Lye Town boss Richard Ball is confident his side can beat relegation in the Northern One Midlands, saying The Flyers are now a “different animal”.
Ball was appointed as manager permanently last month following the departure of Craig Nicholls who he was previously assistant to.
The Flyers were on the receiving end of two thrashings by Coleshill Town and Sporting Khalsa in their final game in December and first game of January retrospectively.
But, they have since kept the ball out of their net with two clean sheets in a row.
Sitting six points adrift from safety and Bedworth United above - with two games in hand - ahead of visiting Darlaston Town tomorrow, new boss Ball is optimistic about his side’s chances of avoiding the drop.
“We are a different animal now, a different beast,” he said. “But, I am not beating around the bush, Darlaston are a very good team. They are well organised, Dean Gill has them chomping at the bit and they are good at what they do.
“They have a good mix of young lads and experience and a very good team.It’s going to be a tough afternoon but we go there looking to get the points.
“As soon as I became manager I set goals for the squad.
“I am confident. My first port of call is to keep the club a step four, that is what I want to do.
“There is a buzz about the place, players want to come and play. They want to run through a brick wall for me at the moment.
“We have kept two clean sheets, one was against Grantham Town and then against Wellingborough Town with ten men.
“The lads are buying into what I am trying to implement. I think a couple of clubs might get dragged into a relegation battle.
“We have two games in hand on Bedworth, six points behind and we have to play them, so I am going into games quite confident.”
Meanwhile, third-placed Sporting Khalsa visit Worcester City, of a place below them, having lost just once in their last nine league games.
Elsewhere, in the Northern One West, Hednesford Town will look to continue their impressive unbeaten form at Hanley Town. The Pitmen have not lost in their last seven league matches and have propelled themselves to fourth in the standings.
Fifth-placed Chasetown host Kidsgrove Athletic looking for their third win and clean sheet in a row and Stafford Rangers are at home to Nantwich Town.
