Stratford Town head into crucial Easter fixtures with full firepower up front
GAVIN Hurren backed the growing competition for attacking options to fire Stratford Town’s promotion challenge.
A 21st goal of the season for fit-again Callum Ebanks, who leads the Southern Premier Central Golden Boot standings, plus a first goal for the Bards for new signing Andre Landell helped seal last weekend’s 3-2 victory at home to Long Eaton United.
And with former Redditch, Rushall and Alvechurch forward Tyrell Skeen-Hamilton also making his debut the Stratford boss is delighted with the options he has heading into the make-or-break final six games of the season.
The Bards sit sixth, one point behind Leamington and Redditch United, as they prepare for Saturday’s trip to Stourbridge (3pm) and Monday’s clash with Kettering Town (3pm) at the Arden Garages Stadium.
Jack Storer and Charlie Williams could be in contention to add to the firepower after injuries have kept them out of the last two games.
“If you look at the frontline now we’ve got some match-winners, players who can make a difference,” said Hurren. “It was a boost to have Callum Ebanks back fit last weekend, Andre Landell got his first goal and Tyrell came on for his debut.
“Charlie and Jack will hopefully be back soon and we’ve also got Callum Coyle who has been doing well.
“It’s a nice headache to have because they are all talented lads.”
Hurren is likely to have to utilise his full squad over the Easter period to deal with two key games inside 72 hours, warning that both fixtures will provide another test. Despite their lowly positions, Stourbridge still have a raft of quality players while Kettering, who beat Stratford only three weeks ago, sit joint-top in the current form standings with four wins from six games.
“They are all big, big games now,” said Hurren. “Stourbridge are a big club with a big budget, and Kettering are another big club. They might not have had the season they wanted but they are huge clubs, historically, and with their fan bases.
“But we’ve got to worry about ourselves, about playing to our strengths and enjoying it. That’s the most important thing.
“I say to the lads every week that if they go and apply themselves from the first minute to the last, enjoy the game, then they have got the ability to go and win games.”
But Hurren also admits the experience of players such as skipper Paul McCone, Chris Hussey, Josh Hawker, Lewis Ison and Liam Daly is rubbing off on the younger players around them.
“If you look at how far we’ve come, how the players have developed and how the team has developed, I feel really proud of this group. It’s just nice to stand there and watch them as manager,” he said.
“Saturday was our 18th win of the league season and, from where we were 12 months ago, that’s unbelievable. We’ve got six games now and we will be giving them everything.”
