Marshall seeks Lancaster response at Prescot after 'shellshock' at Hednesford
Jimmy Marshall called for a reaction from his Lancaster City side in Saturday's “massive” match at Prescot Cables, after admitting they looked “shellshocked” in last weekend's 3-0 defeat at Hednesford Town.
All three goals came in the first half-hour in Staffordshire, Montel Gibson scoring the first two as Hednesford regained top spot in the Northern Premier League.
Manager Marshall told the club's media team: “As good as they were, I thought we were dreadful in the first half. It's a tough place to come but we looked shellshocked and their three goals were all poor from our perspective.
“We looked like rabbits in the headlights and made it far too easy for them. At times we looked like we hadn't played together. We got it together a little bit second half and saw out a 3-0, when it looked at one stage like it could be a lot worse.”
Marshall's eighth-placed side are four points outside the play-off zone with 10 games remaining. The Dolly Blues lost at Cables in this season's FA Trophy but the Merseysiders are only two points above the relegation places after three successive defeats.
The City boss added: “You'll always get beaten in this division and it's about how you react. We have a full week to reset before a completely different type of game at Prescot.
“We know we need to be better but if we stick together, we could still have an exciting end to the season in a very tough league.”
Lancaster defender Simon Grand celebrated a fantastic landmark at Hednesford's Keys Park – his 800th career appearances.
Marshall said of Grand, who turned 42 on Monday and has 16 previous clubs on his CV: “We are a young squad and there aren't so many leaders, so someone like Simon is key in the dressing room.
“He's a great character and a great lad, and to reach 800 appearances is some feat, fantastic. He keeps going, he's hungry, he trains every week and wants to play every week. He deserves all the plaudits he gets.”
Marshall’s men return to the Giant Axe next Tuesday to face NPL West club Clitheroe in the semi-finals of the LFA Challenge Trophy. Lancaster City Ladies are through to the last four of the LFA Women's Senior Cup thanks to Sunday's 2-1 win over higher-league Blackburn Community.