'This is going to be a rollercoaster season' says McDonald as Stourbridge target four wins in a row

Stourbridge endured a tough run over, and coming out of, the Christmas period. A winless run of five Southern Central Premier games began on Boxing Day and saw them fall out of the top 10 places and further adrift of the play-off places.

But, after winning four of their last five league games, and their last three in a row, the Glassboys are back on the up and eyeing the play-off spots which are just five points within their reach.

Ahead of hosting fourth-placed title contenders Kettering Town tomorrow, manager McDonald said ups and downs were to be expected this season.

“I always said to the players that we would come out of the bad run,” he said. 

“I think if you are trying to build something and you are at the start of it, you go through these stages.

“I have said it numerous times to supporters, this is going to be a rollercoaster of a season.

“What I did say was that we would be competing at the top end of the league which we haven’t done in a number of years, but if we can get a positive result on Saturday then we have give ourselves every opportunity of staying in touch with the play-offs and trying to be in and around.”

McDonald has also made a call to supporters to rally behind his side, and act as the 12th man the War Memorial Ground.

The Glassboys boss added: “It is going to be a real tough game. We have been on a good little run but this will be our ultimate test.

“Look, our season isn’t going to depend on Saturday’s result, but it can go a long way in giving the lads that extra confidence because the next two games are against the best two teams in the league.

“For us to be in and around where we want to be we need top make sure that’s we get some results or points on the board, and the players know that.

“Kettering will have to be on their game as well because of the form that we are in. They are not playing a low on confidence Stourbridge team, they are going to be playing against a confident team that has the belief back and has given the fans belief.

“For us to achieve anything this season we are going to need the fans on board.

“We let the fans down over Christmas, we did. We have also now gained their trust again, so we need to come together open Saturday and make it one heck of an atmosphere. For us to win the game we need to play well, we need a bit of luck and we need the fans to be out singing their fans and really encouraging the fans and sucking the ball in the net.”

Elsewhere, league rivals Halesowen Town, who are four points adrift from leaders Bedford Town, host Alvechurch while in the National League North, seventh-placed Kidderminster Harriers go to Alfreton Town and Rushall Olympic travel to leaders Chester.