PETER HUGHES is setting his team a target for their remaining four fixtures.
The Blacon Youth Club boss is keen to see his bottom-placed Division One club conclude their campaign with a unbeaten run of results.
Hughes saw his side claim a point from a battling 2-2 draw at Ellesmere Port on Wednesday night courtesy of goals from Phil Bowyer and Mike Mackin.
But Hughes believed Blacon deserved to pocket all three points after producing a number of goalscoring chances.
He said: “We should have won the game and could have been 2-0 up after just six minutes after Ellesmere Port struggled to cope withour striker Damien Rowley’s pace.
“Damien latched onto one long ball early in the game but saw his lobbed effort go wide, and he then seized on another long ball but saw his goalbound shot saved by the keeper.
“Matty Pierce had a free header which he steered over the bar and I then expected the worst because we had failed to take our chances.
“Ellesmere Port did go 1-0 ahead which was disappointing because we had enjoyed the majority of possesssion and chances during the first half.
“But we did level matters just after the break when Phil Bowyer received a pass from Matty and netted his 20 yard shot.
“Ellesmere Port went 2-1 up with 10 minutes left, but Mike Mackin equalised to earn us a point at the death.
“I thought we definitely deserved a point, but the lads were understandably disappointed that we didn’t win.
“But we’ve now got four games left including tomorrow’s match at Newton and I’d like to see us completing our campaign with an unbeaten run of games.
“The lads have got renewed confidence after two unbeaten games and they are enjoying their football.
“It’s nice to see all their hard work being rewarded with some points.”
Hughes revealed he had never won as a player or a manager at Newton, but believed his side were capable of getting at least a share of the spoils from tomorrow’s fixture.
He added: “Not many teams go to Newton and come away with anything. I feel we’ll have to defend a lot against a good Newton side, but I’d be happy with a point and to see the lads extend our unbeaten run.”
Blacon will be without James Antrobus and Phil Bowyer who both have work commitments, while Damien Rowley is unavailable, but Hughes is hoping that Tom Harries can play, and that Liam Gough can replace Rowley in attack.
Upton AA will be planning to end their campaign on a winning note.
Joint team boss Dave Wright has seen his side suffer four successive defeats in Division One ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Southport Trinity.
Christleton are without as fixture on the back of their 1-1 home draw on Wednesday night against Newton.
Steve Finlay scored for Christleton, while Nathan Mapletoft replied for the visitors.
Christleton reserves travel to New Brighton reserves in Division Three.