The Coasters are back in action this weekend as they make the trip to Alfreton Town in the Vanarama National League North. 

Jim Bentley’s side are still unbeaten in the league, but Saturday’s game will be a tough test for the Coasters, with the hosts currently occupying a playoff spot and coming into the game full of confidence after three consecutive victories. 

However, the Coasters find themselves sat at the top of the table, and Saturday is a game Bentley and his players are looking forward to. 

“We’re coming into the game in good shape and good form,” Bentley expressed. “Training has been good, and everyone is looking forward to the game. 

“If we can go and get a result against Alfreton, it will kick us on once more and maybe put a little bit of daylight between us and the chasing pack, but at the minute, we’re at the top of the table and we’re there to be shot at, but we will go and embrace the challenge as we always do and try and win the game.”

Despite being confident of his side’s chances, Bentley knows the threats Alfreton will pose, in particular striker Matt Rhead. 

“Saturday will be a tough game. I’ve played against a few of their players in the past – Matt Rhead for example – I’ve played against him, he is a real handful, effective, and he is good for what Alfreton need, but he is just one of the few problems that the opposition are going to give us.

“Billy Heath, who is in charge of them, is a good manager that knows the level, has good players in the ranks and they’re having a good season so far. We can’t underestimate anyone, and we certainly can’t underestimate Alfreton on their own patch.

“They are coming into the game on the back of some good results and have also had a little break themselves. They will be looking to lay a marker down by beating top of the league – we’ve got to make sure that we’re ready for that and ready for the onslaught that is coming our way.”

Jim is certainly not taking Saturday’s opponents for granted, but he is confident with the way things are going at Mill Farm at the moment, and he is hoping the hard work put in on the training pitch will pay off in the end.

“The way the Chairman sees the Club, the way I see the Club, we want to make sure we play the right way. We’ve done that this season and scored some good goals, but we don’t want to be a one-trick pony, be pleasing on the eye and then go to a place like Alfreton, get roughed up and lose the game.

“It’s important you can adapt and make sure you’ve got a little bit of strength and battling qualities, and we’ve certainly got that. 

“We went to places last year where we were slightly worried the opposition would have an upper hand on us in terms of height and strength etc, but we always found a way because I think we’ve built a squad that can adapt, so we’ve been working on things this week, and hopefully, practice makes perfect, and we can go and win the game on Saturday.”