Grantham keen to avenge Wrens defeat

With their lead at the top of the Evo-Stik League First Division South extended to five points, Grantham travel to Rainworth Miners Welfare looking to change two rare statistics from this season.

The Wrens are not only one of the few sides to beat the Gingerbreads in the league this season, but they are also one of only two sides Grantham have failed to score against.

The form which Grantham have been showing since that early season meeting does not give the Gingerbreads any excuse to relax. In fact, completely the opposite as far as joint manager Wayne Hallcro is concerned. Reflecting on last Saturdays’ 4-0 victory over Romulus, Hallcro had a warning for his side.

“The opening goal on Saturday rocked them big time.” Hallcro said. “They threw everything they had into the mix first half, but didn’t penetrate us. Our lads know that they need to keep doing their jobs for the whole of the 90 minutes, which we did and never really felt threatened by Romulus. That is a product of the high level of confidence we have at the moment, but we can’t afford to let that confidence become arrogance.”

Hallcro and fellow joint manager Jimmy Albans took the chance to watch two promotion rivals battle it out on Monday night. They were among a contingent of Gingerbreads who turned up at Ilkeston to see them beat Sheffield FC.

“I can see why people thought it was a good game.” Hallcro said. “It was entertaining, both sides kept the ball well, but both allowed each other to do so. We try not to give sides time to settle and know that there will be many who will try the same thing against us. That means we have got to be prepared to win ugly if needed.”

Much of the Gingerbreads success this season has been built on keeping things tight at the back. So much so that goalkeeper Rob Murray has been a virtual spectator for long periods of games. However, Hallcro argues that this only makes the goalkeepers reactions when he is called upon even more impressive.

“Our defensive record this season is brilliant.” Hallcro pointed out. “Not only do we not look like conceding goals at the moment, there is a feeling that it will take something special to get past us. Rob Murray’s concentration level in games is fantastic. He might have virtually nothing to do for 60 minutes, then when he is called on makes a great save. That is something special.”

Both sides are without players due to suspension on Saturday. Grantham miss Sam Sanders and Sam Purcicoe, while Rainworth miss centre half Steve Kennedy. When Sam Saunders pulled up with a hamstring tweak only 20 minutes onto the game against Romulus, it was an early chance for Hallcro and Albans to look at one of their options for the Rainworth game.

“We put Damien in for Sam Saunders last Saturday, knowing he would do the same sort of job and keep attacking the ball as it is coming in.” Hallcro said of their substitution choice. “He did that very well for us and will do it again this Saturday against Rainworth with Sam suspended. We are still mulling over the options to cover Sam Purcicoe, but will not have Gio Carchedi available. Tom Maddison returns to us after his loan spell at Dunkirk. It did him the world of good. He has come back fresh and champing at the bit to get involved. We might do the same thing again for some of the others who have spent a lot of time on the bench. Being without the two Sams won’t change the way we play. All of the lads know what the job is whatever position they are put in to play. We will always try to minimise disruption to the team and that helps everyone to feel comfortable with what we are asking them to do.”

Rainworth find themselves in the strange position of seeing their top scorer so far this season facing them. Sean Cann spent time at the Nottinghamshire side earlier in the season, netting five goals during his time there. Adding another one to that since joining the Gingerbreads is adding up to a pretty good season so far for Canny.

“The tactical option we have used of putting fresh faces into the front line with our substitutions has given us the advantage of continuing to have a big impact going forward in the last quarter of the game against tiring defenders.” Hallcro said. “It is something I used to hate as a player and I am sure that hasn’t changed. Canny has done what we want him to on the pitch and off it he has been working hard since he joined us. Everyone knows there is no place for slacking in this squad if someone wants to either win or keep a starting shirt. Jimmy and me are pleased that our substitutions are working our so well at present.”

Hallcro knows that the game against Rainworth will not be an easy one. They will still take confidence from the three points they took from Grantham earlier in the season and have some good players, including recent additions to boost their playing squad.

“Rainworth have got a few lads who we know something about and have been getting some good results.” Hallcro said. “Like all sides in the league, we can’t afford to take them lightly. They got a well-deserved win at our place earlier in the season and there is no way we will underestimate them, but the previous game between the two sides counts for nothing at three o’clock on Saturday.”

As far as Hallcro is concerned, the following away from home that the Gingerbreads have is a big factor in the teams’ performance. He expects their attitude at both ends of the pitch to be added to by that support as the season enters what Hallcro thinks is a crucial phase over the next few games.

“Having our fans at away games in the numbers we do is a huge boost for the lads.” Hallcro said. “A lot of the time it is like it is a home game for us and it does raise everyone’s game a bit knowing that there is so much backing for them. As a team, we take as much pride in a clean sheet as we do in scoring goals. That will be an important attitude in the next three games. The league is entering a massive period over the next three games not just for us, but for the teams that are trying to catch us as well.”