Evo Stik Division One South
Stocksbridge Park Steels manager Chris Hilton
Chris Hilton insists that Stocksbridge Park Steels’ play-offs hopes are still alive, despite two consecutive defeats.
Losses to Kidsgrove Athletic and Witton Albion in the past seven days have meant the Steels have lost ground after putting a good run together over January and February.
Fortunately they still have games-in-hand which is why Hilton is remaining positive.
“Saturday was a massive dent for us,” Hilton told Non League Yorkshire.
“We always knew Witton was going to be tough because they are turning teams over right-left-and-centre.
“We try and win every game, but we targeted a point from the game.
“There’s plenty of games to go though. I’m not going to lie, the last two defeats have put a big dent in our hopes.
“But it is still in our hands so we start Saturday and if we put a run of four or five wins together, we’ll climb the table.”
The Steels were defeated 4-3 by Witton. At one point they were 4-1 down before a rally left Witton hanging on.
“It was a strange game,” Hilton said.
“They were the better team in the first half, but they probably only five or six shots in the game and scored four goals. We got punished for every single mistake.
“That’s the reason why they are second in the league and are pushing Shaw Lane for the title.”
Hilton is hopeful he is will have a strong side for the trip to AFC Rushden & Diamonds tomorrow – a game which is subject to an early morning pitch inspection.
The Steels boss had a patched-up side for the Witton game. Matt Reay was suspended, while Corey Gregory was released the day before following his fight with team-mate Ash Burbeary during the Kidsgrove defeat.
Burbeary, who was sent off as well and later fined by the Steels, then suffered a suspected broken foot ten minutes into the Witton clash and looks set to miss the rest of the season.
“We had no Nat Crofts (against Witton) because he played for Sheffield United under 23s on the day which is part of the deal,” Hilton added.
“Nat will be back for Saturday. Richard Stirrup’s international clearance should have come through by then so that’s a midfielder back. We’ve been waiting three weeks which is fairly ridiculous, but we’re in the Australia FA’s hands.
“Matt Reay’s suspension is over so that is possibly three players back. They are all big players for us so they should make us a lot stronger.”