Evostik League Premier Division
Retford United v North Ferriby United
Tuesday 15 January 2011 Kick-off 7.45 pm
Ferriby make their first ever visit to Retford's Cannon Park Ground on Tuesday. Saturday's disappointing home defeat saw The Villagers drop out of the promotion places.
Retford are bottom of the table but gained a surprise win at the Rapid Solicitors Stadium earlier in the season with a late winner totally against the run of play. Ferriby manager John Anderson will be looking for a more up-beat performance from his side as they look for all three points to enhance their play-off bid.
As Anderson commented after Saturday's match, "It was a bad day at the office. We are all disappointed with the result but we wil be looking to lift ourselves at Retford."
For some reason, Ferriby have a much better away record this season. The Villagers have lost only twice on their league travels this season compared to six home defeats. Even an average of one point from each of these six games would have seen Ferriby in a much stronger position in the league table.
It now appears that there will be a real-dog-fight for the play-off spots a s the season moves in to its final third. Seven teams are within six points of fifth placed Buxton and with most clubs seemingly capable of beating each other, it is difficult to predict who will take the play-off spots behind runaway leaders FC Halifax Town.
With an equally tense situation at the bottom of the table all the clubs are going to fighting for every point. The Northern Premier League has always been very competitive and this season is proving no different. Ferriby's spirit and resilience should mean they are still in the promotion mix at the end of the season.
On Tuseday, Anderson will be without Paul Harsley who is unavailable and there is an injury doubt over Alex Davidson who went off in the first half on Saturday. Ben Morley and Chris White both return to the squad.
Possible Ferriby Squad: Steve Wilson, Adam Nicklin, Ben Turner, Paul Foot, Steve Burton, Ben Morley, , Sam Denton, Kevin Larvin, Chris Bolder, Peter Davidson, Russell Fry, Alex Davidson, Gary Bradshaw, Wayne Brooksby, James Williams, Chris White, Luke Thompson