Grantham entertain Market Drayton Town at the Meres in their fifth straight home game. Joint managers Wayne Hallcro and Jimmy Albans has an easier week than expected with some player moves happening, while others stayed put.

 

“Danny Brooks and Danny Hargreaves both got 90 minutes of football in on Tuesday night for Lincoln Moorlands.” Hallcro said. “Zucko got in a couple of dangerous crosses and Brooksie worked hard in midfield in a poor game.”

 

Despite expressing concerns last Saturday that they could find themselves short of numbers, the Gingerbreads bosses are hoping to have added to their number before their Shropshire opponents arrive on Saturday.

 

“We have put in a seven day approach for an experienced centre half.” Hallcro revealed. “We have been interested in the player all season, but he has only just become available to us. We hope to have done the deal by Saturday. I was only a stopgap to a degree. We need someone long term and hopefully he will be what we want. Having said that, no-one is going to walk straight into the side. Jimmy and I need to be sure that they will not disrupt what we have built up over the last seven games.”

 

Albans had said last Saturday that he had doubts whether any of the three players the Gingerbreads had on loan at that time would be available to him and Hallcro for this week. The loan deals for Niall O’Rafferty, Nick Langford and Sam Persicoe all ran out on February 11^th. Hallcro was happy to announce good news for Gingerbreads fans.

 

“All three of the Mansfield lads will be staying for another month.” He said. “That’s a great boost to us. Niall has been getting deserved praise for his performances, but Nick and Sam have given us every bit as much in their positions. Nick works very hard across the front line. His work rate and attitude have been tremendous. Anyone who has seen him play can appreciate what he has given us up front. Sam has been very assured on the ball. Against Willenhall, he kept their left hand side very quiet and also got forward well to support when we had the ball. I am sure that all three will continue to star for us as they help us be a more effective team.”

 

Grantham opened their season with their best win of the campaign at Market Drayton. The visitors were then unbeaten in their next eight games. Changes of manager since then have disrupted their season. Hallcro preferred to focus on what his side had achieved in recent weeks.

 

“We have had chances to have won all of the games we have played of late.” He said. “Our form has been good enough for us to be able to go out and play against anyone with confidence.”

 

Squad: Richard Stainsby, Sam Saunders, Gary Sucharewycz, Wayne Hallcro, Alistair Asher, Danny Hargreaves, Niall O'Rafferty, Ian Robinson, Dennis Rhule, Lee Potts, Sam Persicoe, Gio Carchedi, Ben Saunders, Nick Langford, Chris Hewitt, Kieron Davies.