Blues aim to take second chance
NELSON FC: Manager Paul Painter. Photo Ben Parsons
Nelson boss Paul Paynter believes his side have been given a second chance to shine this Saturday, as he prepares his players for a First Division Trophy rematch against Formby.
The Blues are still waiting to play their first full match since November after Saturday’s encounter with Oldham Borough was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
The original game against Formby had to be abandoned after 80 minutes due to floodlight failure, but Paynter (pictured) has been able to draw plenty of positives from the situation: “It wasn’t the worst thing in the world because we’d managed to give away a two-goal lead, so I see this as another chance.
“In hindsight it was a good decision for us because of the way the game was going.
“The lads are keen to play. The game’s going to be tight but I hope we can get back to playing our best.”
The poor weather conditions brought Nelson’s season to a grinding halt, but Paynter is confident that his players remain focused on bringing success to the club: “I’m very hopeful of getting the game played this weekend. I’m still a little tentative, but if the rain holds up I’m hopeful it goes ahead.
“All the lads are desperate to get playing again and weather permitting we should get a game.”
Having only been able to train this winter, the Blues boss does accept that his side may take time to adjust, having not played a competitive game for so long: “It will be a challenge going from not playing for six weeks, to playing week in, week out, but I’m sure we can adapt.”
Paynter has been forced to make a number of changes to his squad for this weekend’s game due to several members of his first team being unavailable for selection: “We’ll be missing a few players for this game,” he said.
“About three or four of the lads are going on a skiing trip.
“I’m suspended unfortunately, because I was sent off in the last game against Formby.”
Due to the rules of the competition, players must be registered before the start of the season, meaning that Nelson will also be without at least three other first team regulars.
Nevertheless, Paynter still feels he has enough players to cope, even with a growing list of absentees: “We’ve got quite a big squad here so I’ve got the numbers to choose from.
“We’ve had a few more lads sign on, so that will add to the squad size,” he said.
“We’ve got some decent young fringe players.
“I got to see two or three of them for 80 minutes against Formby and they performed well.”
Paynter also acknowledged that he had a number of reserve players that could be handed a run in the first team very soon: “There are a lot of young lads in the reserves, but they don’t get much of a chance.
“The first team train over in Blackburn so it’s quite difficult for those who can’t make the journey.
“There are three, four or five young lads who are looking very good at the moment though.”
With this weekend’s fixture originally scheduled for the November, 26th Nelson will be looking to finally complete their match against Formby, hopefully ending the tie with the sweet taste of victory.
MATT MAKOWSKI
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Weather for Pendle
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
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