Assistant manager Craig Malbon’s programme notes for the visit of New Mills. Read the full programme here.

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Good afternoon and welcome back to The Step Places Stadium to all the West fans. I’d also like to welcome New Mills; we hope everyone connected with our visitors receives a warm welcome for this game.

This is an important fixture for the club, as we embark on an important phase in our league campaign. New Mills are in good form, avoiding defeat in their last three matches (with two wins and a draw). As ever, it is good to be playing in front of our home supporters and we are looking forward to what will be another great
atmosphere.

The PlayerMatch.com Cup loss against Sandbach was obviously a disappointing result last Saturday, especially as we played so well in our previous two fixtures against Cheadle Heath and Eccleshall. At that point, we had four wins and one draw from six matches, which took us into the top four league positions.

We did have factors that played a part in the problems we encountered. With a number of the first team squad unavailable, we were forced to use players recovering from illness and/or injury which is clearly not ideal.

Still, these are not excuses, and we must continue to be positive and focus on the fact that we are in a good position to fight for promotion this season. Overall, we have been on a very good run since the beginning of January and I know we have the quality to get that back on track today. We also have some players returning from absence and that will help to make us stronger.

Our mentality must remain the same. To be fully committed at all times, to approach every match with the intention of winning and playing well, and to challenge for promotion come the end of the season.

I have belief that the players will respond in the right way today and, with your fantastic support, we will be doing everything we can to secure another memorable victory at The Step Places Stadium.

Come on West!

Craig Malbon
Assistant Manager