Walsham-le-Willows face make or break fixture on the road to basement side Gorleston
The two teams with the worst form in the league are set to meet tonight in a ‘must win’ clash for Fergus O’Callaghan’s Walsham-le-Willows.
The Willows have lost their last six outings to match the form of the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division’s basement side Gorleston and find themselves dragged back into a relegation dogfight.
The side in 17th place are just seven points clear of tonight’s hosts Gorleston (7.45pm) but having played a game more in their league campaign.
O’Callaghan said: “It’s a very big game really, a massive one in our season now, there’s only seven points between us – potentially just four – so it’s a must win really.
“We have to take every game as it comes, but a loss would leave us in a very bad position and at risk.
“We’re not going to get a better chance to put an end to our bad run of form.
“We have a tough run-in, one of the toughest of the bottom sides, which means you are bound to be concerned, we have some of the top six sides.”
Walsham have 11 games remaining this season – with 33 points left on the table – but six of those ties are against teams in the top five, including both home and away games against runaway league leaders Stowmarket Town and this season’s FA Vase quarter-finalists Wroxham.
They will be encouraged by a narrow 2-1 defeat at home to third-placed Stanway Rovers in their last outing on February 26, with the reverse fixture their final game of the season.
“Despite our current run, we’re still feeling upbeat and I believe in the squad I’ve got, I’m not looking to bring anyone in,” O’Callaghan added.
“I’m seeing players in a different light at the moment and how they deal with pressure; I think they are a team that can handle it.
“I need players to step up and get us over the line. We’re not scoring many goals at the moment but I’m not too concerned about that because we’re creating chances.
“We are definitely creating opportunities but we’re not being clinical enough in the final third.
“When teams are down that’s what you lose, that clinical touch, and the luck goes against you.
“It’s about taking ownership, working even harder and forcing your luck to turn.”
* Walsham’s home game against Godmanchester Rovers (12th), postponed on Saturday, has been rearranged for April 8.
* The Willows are set to host BetVictor Isthmian League North Division side Bury Town in the quarter-finals of the Suffolk Premier Cup on Tuesday night (7.45pm).
O’Callaghan acknowledged the ‘tough task’ his side would face with their visitors ‘flying at the moment’ as they target a play-off space in the league above.
