Powell's job '˜never in doubt'

The club clinched safety in Evo-Stik NPL Division One North with Monday’s 2-0 home win over Clitheroe and chairman Charles Tolley said the ongoing arrangement with former Sheffield Wednesday player Powell was never in doubt.

“Vill has done a remarkable job after being left with just five of last season’s successful squad,” said Tolley.

“He is a top qualified coach with excellent man management skills and has certainly brought players in over the season who will form a solid backbone towards achieving future targets he has already marked down.

“It is his first job in management and he has shown the committee and myself that he is the man to take us forward. He has already mapped out his pre-season and further plans for the club, which we will be revealing in the next few weeks.”

Powell was a happy man after Monday’s win. He said: “We went into the game knowing that three points would secure our place in the division.

“The message to the players was not to panic and apply unnecessary pressure to ourselves. It was about high intensity game management and constant work rate.

“I thought the tension in our game was evident for the first 25 minutes and we gave away numerous unnecessary free kicks in dangerous areas, but from start to finish our back four and keeper were immense and looked solid and well organised, They managed to keep their strike force quiet.

“Once we settled down we took a foothold in the game and got a goal through Adam Field through an assist from Aaron Martin, who returned from the injury which kept him out the Scarborough game and showed how important he is to the team.

“Monday night’s result means we can now look forward rather than below. Although we have secured our place at this level for next season, we now need to get a result on Saturday at home to Prescot Cables.”

Town have released Lincoln-based ex-Grantham Town midfielder Kegan Everington - one of three players signed on deadline day in March - ahead of their game with the Merseysiders, who clinched a play-off place on Tuesday night with a 2-1 home win over Bamber Bridge.

On Monday Town entertain Ramsbottom United (7.45) who had a good 3-1 win at home to Kendal Town on Tuesday.

Powell will have goalkeeper Chandler Hallwood back in contention this weekend but teenage product George Clarke has played well at Scarborough and against Clitheroe.