WARRINGTON Town boss Shaun Reid has called for the Warrington public to get behind his team ahead of this Saturday’s crunch FA Trophy clash at home to AFC Fylde.
The National League North promotion chasers come to town for the third qualifying round match with a place in the first round up for grabs, and a potential tie against a full-time professional National League outfit.
A bumper crowd turned out for Warrington’s league game against third placed Glossop North End, when Town ran out 3-0 victors to outline their genuine title credentials.
Reid said: “When we get the Warrington public behind us, it’s massive for the club. The Exeter game speaks volumes (Town’s 1-0 FA Cup triumph last November). The Darlington game (when a draw denied the visitors the league title) is another example.
“With a good crowd that’s loud and proud, people shouldn’t underestimate what that gives my players and me as a manager.
“It’s massive to be backed by the town’s people and the players have shown that they perform when there’s a crowd on.”
It might be a pipe dream for now, but a win over AFC Fylde would put Warrington five wins away from a trip to Wembley.
They put Glossop to the sword last Saturday thanks to first half goals from Chris Gahgan, Ben Deegan and Scott Metcalfe, to keep pace with table topping Northwick Victoria.
Reid added: “Sometimes as a manager, you look at your team and say right it’s third against joint top, how’s it going to go? You question yourself how good we are, and do we deserve to be where we are.
“On that performance, we’re very much in with a shout. We won’t get carried away, but it’s hard not to get excited.
“It takes me a lot to get excited this early in the season, but we’re well over a third through the campaign and we’ve only lost two games.
“If we can replicate that in the next third of the season, come the end of April we’ll be up there.”
After a slightly slow start to the season, Warrington have developed a winning habit, winning 13 of their last 14 games – the last five without conceding a goal, much to Reid’s delight.
“It’s a habit I don’t want to get out of!”
Warrington Town v AFC Fylde, FA Trophy third qualifying round, Cantilever Park, Saturday November 28, 3pm kick-off
