Football: Buckley boss Thomas plots new year resurgence without striker McIntosh

Dec 29 2010 by Paul Glynn, Flintshire Chronicle

BUCKLEY Town will require a big improvement in results if they are to keep their hopes of finishing in the top six of the Huws Gray Alliance alive.

Town have sunk to 12th spot after recording only 14 points so far.

But manager Gareth Thomas is confident that his side are more than capable of turning their season around in the coming months.

Thomas said: “We’re disappointed to be where we are with the squad we have got.

“But its not been a disastrous season as there is still plenty to play for.

“We have time to sort the league situation out and we are in the semi-final of the League Cup and have the North East Wales Cup too.

“In the last few games we have been starting to look like ourselves again a bit more.”

While most managers and players have become fed up with the enforced winter break caused by frozen pitches and arctic conditions, Thomas has used the time to iron out the creases in his squad.

“The break has given us the chance to work on a lot things and now we will make a big push as we are playing catch up,” he said.

That push will be made without hotshot striker James McIntosh, who has signed for top side Gap Connah’s Quay.

However the boss feels he has more than adequate replacements within his squad already and does not anticipate dipping into the transfer market.

“James has moved on to Nomads but we’ve got enough cover and feel that we have done enough now in terms of our squad,” he said.

Buckley will be hoping to start their new year with a home win over Flint Town on Monday, January 3.

Saltney Town’s North East Wales FA Challenge Cup second round clash against The New Saints Scholars was postponed on Monday.

The game will now take place tomorrow (Thursday, December 30) on TNS’ 3G all-weather pitch at The Venue in Oswestry.

A big football memorabilia sale takes place tomorrow.

Collectors can buy and sell items at the Great North West Programme Fair at the Cresta Court Hotel on Church Street, Altrincham between 11am and 3pm. Admission is £1 for adults, with schoolchildren allowed in free.