BOSS Les Jones hopes Malvern Town can put some distance between themselves and Wellington as the two prepare to lock horns tonight (Wednesday) in the West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division.
A win for fourth placed Malvern at the HDAnywhere Community Stadium – weather permitting – would see them move five points clear of fifth placed Wellington who have two games in hand.
Jones’ side are in fine form having won their previous four league games but their Herefordshire-based visitors will fancy their chances as they are on a seven-game unbeaten run.
Max Kontic-Coveney, Paul Edwards and Reece King return to the Hillsiders’ squad while Louis Platt (hamstring) faces a late fitness test.
Jones said: “It’s an important game for them (Wellington) but hopefully it is us who are coming away with the three points.
“Wellington have strengthened and are on a similar run to us but if we win we can put a five-point gap between us and them.
“That could potentially cement fourth place for us with just a few games left of the season.”
The Hillsiders go into tonight’s game on the back of a 3-2 victory at Black Country-based Cradley Town.
Dreniz Bala had given Cradley the lead after 14 minutes but within a minute the Hillsiders were level as Josh Weatherby set up Louis Loader to bag the equaliser.
A brace from Dave Reynolds in the second half gave the visitors a comfortable 3-1 lead before Geoff Hill netted a late penalty for the hosts.
That result made it 14 goals in four goals for the Hillsiders who have conceded nine in the same period – a statistic which is concerning boss Jones.
“I was delighted with the result as the pitch was really bobbly and prevented us from playing our style of football,” he added.
“We won all our battles against them and our quality showed in the end.
“It’s good to see we have scored 14 in our last four but we are giving goals away which is a bit of a problem.
“But we are winning and I’d take another 4-3 if that’s what happens.”
After the clash against Wellington, Malvern travel to 14th placed Willenhall Town on Saturday (3pm).
The previous meeting between the two sides saw the Hillsiders run out 8-0 winners with the help of four goals from Reynolds.