DROITWICH Spa joint-boss Wayne Oliver says he will make sure his players are fully prepared for their promotion six-pointer against Paget Rangers next month.
The Saltmen do not return to Midland League Division Two action until Tuesday, April 11 when they travel to Boldmere-based Paget (7.45pm KO) in their penultimate game of the season hoping to guarantee a top two finish.
Table-topping Spa would move onto 66 points with a victory at the Trevor Brown Memorial Ground, a result which would mean fifth placed Paget can only end the campaign on a maximum of 63 points.
Paget take on Continental Star this Saturday knowing they cannot afford to drop any more points.
And Oliver has bemoaned a lack of fixtures for Spa prior to the huge clash and told the Standard he will be making sure the players are fully prepared in the best way possible.
“It’s frustrating to go so long without a fixture but we cannot do anything about it,” he said.
“We have to accept that’s how the schedule has been dished out so we have just got to get on with it and make sure we are fully prepared between now and then.
“The lads are having a weekend off this week but we will have them in training during the week and once more next Saturday.
“Hopefully by then we will be physically and emotionally prepared for the Paget game.”
Spa picked up an important three points in their hunt for promotion last Saturday with a 2-0 victory at Sutton United.
Goals in each half from defender Jamie Smith and leading scorer Nick Seabourne ensured the Saltmen quickly put to bed their 2-0 home defeat to Redditch Borough a fortnight ago.
And Oliver was quick to praise his players for showing great character to return to winning ways.
“The game was not much of a spectacle as it was a scrappy affair but we took our chances and got the points,” he added.
“When you lose, all you can ask from the players is to respond and they did exactly that.
“It’s what you need especially at this stage of the season.”
