Boss Marshall pleased with all-action reaction from Lancaster
Lancaster City's 2-1 home win over Leek Town on Saturday was just the response boss Jimmy Marshall was looking for after a disappointing defeat, and it puts his side in the right frame of mind to visit title-chasing Hednesford Town this weekend.
Marshall acknowledged his Dolly Blues were poor in last Tuesday's 1-0 home defeat by Rushall Olympic but Nico Evangelinos' stunning 41st-minute winner put that right against Leek, who had quickly cancelled out Charlie Bailey's early opener.
Marshall told the club's media team: “That was much more like us. Everyone worked their socks off and I'm pleased with three points against a good side, who came here on the back of two wins.
“We played quite well first half, scored two good goals and had a lot of entries into their box. Second half we were professional and brought lads off the bench to push us on, and they did that.
“We have a great dressing room and I told them to show it. Be a nice set of lads in there (the dressing room) but be horrible out there (on the pitch) and make sure you win games."
Teenage defenders Jonny Brindle and Ed Nolan impressed on debut, having joined on 28-day youth loans from Preston North End's academy.
Marshall added: “I thought they were brilliant. It's very difficult to be chucked into senior football after one training session and they both got through 90 minutes.
“I thought they were both really composed and Jonny set the first goal up, put some good corners in with his left foot and has a throw on him. That's another string to his bow and one reason we looked to bring him in."
Standing eighth and four points outside the play-off zone, Lancaster next visit a second-placed Hednesford side beaten 5-0 at Hyde United last weekend.
It means the Dolly Blues must prepare to face a “wounded animal” but Marshall added: “It's a game our lads look forward to because it's a nice set-up. The week's break is good for us to do what we need to do in-house, because if we do things right we know we can compete with anyone on our day.”
Lancaster’s LFA Challenge Trophy semi-final at home to Clitheroe has been set for Tuesday, March 3. And Morpeth Town’s Easter visit to Giant Axe has been confirmed for Good Friday, April 3.