Town hope Styal slip up

12:00pm Wednesday 7th May 2008

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MIDDLEWICH Town are hoping for slip-ups from their rivals as the season reaches its climax.

The Witches are now just two points off top spot but have played the same amount of games as leaders Styal who surprised everybody by drawing with penultimate-bottom Poynton on Saturday.

Meanwhile Town thrashed Pilkington 5-0 on Saturday with Alex Lowe, Gary Bryning, Stuart Tulloch, Mike Brandon and Steve Warburton all getting their name on the scoresheet.

Manager Terry Murphy believes his team will have to keep up their current form if they are to keep the pressure on the leaders.

He said: "We played very well to be honest, we had a good start and after that it was one-way traffic.

"We murdered them really and they were above us in the league.

"Lately we have gone three up front with Mike Brandon, Stuart Tulloch and Steve Warburton and it has suited us."Hopefully they can keep the good performances up for the rest of the season."

But Murphy admitted that he still believed Styal were in pole position to claim the league title.

"They are favourites but if we keep winning we are hoping that they will drop points.

"We have a decent squad so it is all down to what we do," he said.

Right back Lee Jones missed the game at Greenalls Padgate St Oswalds last night, Tuesday, through injury but Murphy expects him to return against Garswood United at Seddon Street tomorrow, Thursday.

First choice keeper Matt Conkie has been ruled out for the rest of the season through suspension so reserve Lee Granell steps in for the final three games.

Murphy said: "Lee is a good keeper so we hope he will come in and do well and take his chance."

Town host Gamesley on Saturday before travelling to lowly Woodley in the final game of the season. Styal have successive home matches against Poynton, Crosfields and Woodley.