BOSS Adie Arnold urged his players to launch one final push after Christchurch had been hauled into a last-day relegation decider.
Basement battlers Priory, Totton & Eling and Fareham will fight it out for 19th place and a guaranteed spot in the Wessex Premier next season.
Fareham grabbed a lifeline when they thrashed Hamworthy yesterday and the Hampshire side can relegate Christchurch if they beat Newport on Tuesday and Andover Town in six days’ time - unless Priory destroy Winchester in their final game.
However, Arnold’s men remain in the race for survival as matters stand and the manager has thrown down the gauntlet to his squad to avoid the drop.
He told the Daily Echo: “It’s a big week for the club, the players and me personally.
“You couldn’t have had two tougher games back-to-back than Petersfield and Winchester. They are both professionally-run clubs. Petersfield came here with the right attitude and I’m sure Winchester will as well.
“On paper you could pick an easier fixture than Winchester but sometimes, against the better sides, you raise your game.
“It’s a cup final for us and as much as I can motivate the players, they have to motivate themselves.
“Hopefully, Newport can do us a favour and we will get another bite at the cherry and what will be, will be.
“We can’t affect anything that is going on at other grounds but, hopefully, we will get the rub of the green which we haven’t had through the season.
“There has been no lack of effort but there have been a few results you wouldn’t expect recently with Totton beating Winchester and Moneyfields, and Fareham beating Hamworthy 6-1.
“Don’t get me wrong, you have to look after yourself, but there have been some results that have surprised us.”
Nathan Saxby’s goal proved scant consolation for Priory at Hurn Bridge as champions Petersfield triumphed 6-1. But Arnold insisted the final outcome had been harsh on his troops.
Arnold added: “Anyone who was there on Saturday could see it wasn’t a 6-1 result.
“It was 0-0 after 25 minutes and then a penalty and a free-kick put us 2-0 down. They scored early in the second half to make it 3-0 and then there were 20 or 25 minutes where we had control of possession.
“At 3-1 we hit the bar and Jack Lovell missed a one-on-one - that’s been our season.”
PRIORY: Tong, Swindlehurst, Goodship, Grace, Dand, Saxby, Fairbrother (Cunniffe-Pilley, 80), Mark Smith, Cullen, Saul (Vining, 80), Lovell (Wood, 75). Unused subs: Banfield, Fawcett (g/k).
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel