Greenwich Borough boss Paul Barnes: I have challenged my players to start another run with three points this weekend and a performance that shows people what we are all about as people and a club

GREENWICH BOROUGH manager Paul Barnes says he has challenged his side to go on another winning run of form.

The club are in sixth-place in the Bostik South Division table with 64 points from 34 games and are now only five points clear of the side immediately below them, Hythe Town.

It will be Barnes’ sixth game in charge of the club tomorrow.  He started off with wins over Herne Bay (1-0), Shoreham (4-0) and Horsham (2-0), but has suffered back-to-back defeats to VCD Athletic (1-3) and leaders Lewes (0-2).

Greenwich Borough host fourteenth-placed side Chipstead, who have secured 45 points from their 35 league outings.

“Saturday presents us with the chance to get back on course against a good side in Chipstead, who have been in good form themselves lately and were unlucky not to get at least a point last week.

“Antony Williams (Chipstead manager) is a good friend and is doing a brilliant job down there with limited resources.  He has built a very competitive squad who are a match for anyone on their day.

“We must get back to the basics of being organised and hard-working first and foremost and earn the right for our technical quality to show.”

Reflecting on their home defeat to Keith McMahon’s Vickers, Barnes said: “I was very disappointed with our showing against a very competitive VCD Athletic side, who had far more energy and desire then us, which is always disappointing for a manager to say that about his own side, but that was the truth!

“Last week the lads made the worst possible start with a defensive mix-up allowing Lewes to take an early lead and took us a good 20-25 minutes to settle down and build ourselves back into the game.

“The team showed character and their quality again, keeping possession and dictating play for periods, but we failed to really create or break down a resolute and organised Lewes side who caught us out with another soft goal from a set-piece.”

Lewes (71 points from 33 games) and Cray Wanderers (69 points from 35 games) occupy the two automatic promotion places.

The play-off quartet consist of Corinthian-Casuals (69 points from 35 games), Carshalton Athletic (68 points from 33 games), Walton Casuals (66 points from 34 games) and Greenwich Borough.

Barnes said: “Getting back in this week and having an honest discussion with my squad, I have told them everyone around the top of the table is going to drop points, so we must make sure that we have taken our turn and get back to winning ways asap, get on another run that can push us back into the mix and where we know we can be.

“Training this week has been extremely sharp and the boys have worked hard, no moaning or excuses.  That is what I admire about this group I have, no pointing fingers at others, brave enough to stand up and except a mistake or performance that is not good enough and work hard to put it right. I have some real leaders in my dressing room and now is the time for them to show our togetherness and strength.

“I have challenged my players to start another run with three points this weekend and a performance that shows people what we are all about as people and a club.”

Visit Greenwich Borough’s website: www.greenwichboroughfc.com

Greenwich Borough  v  Chipstead
Bostik South Division
Saturday 24 February 2018
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Middle Park Avenue, Eltham, London SE9 5HP