WE’RE almost at the end of January and the second half of the season is poised to kick off. Postponements and rearrangements have had a massive impact on us. Whether it was the never-draining pitch at Heritage Park or a number of rearrangements due to league opponents’ progress in cup competitions, circumstances are far from perfect as we make the turn for home.

Last Saturday’s 3-0 win over a poor Colwyn Bay side was one of those games where everything fell into place. Our Welsh opponents rarely threatened. More importantly, we played well. The passing and the movement belittled the conditions under foot.

What was really good to see was the patience shown by all parties. On the pitch, the players took their time. They will have known from early on that they had the beating of their opponents. Meanwhile, on the touchline, Martin Gray gave his players the time to show what they had. There were no hasty tactical changes to kill the side’s rhythm.

I thought the second half display was the performance that had been brewing in the first ten minutes after half time in the Whitby game. I suspect that would be the view of Nathan Cartman who, against Colwyn Bay, looked like a man with a point to make. While he may not have got on the score sheet, his impact on the game was a joy to behold. Every time there was movement on the Darlo bench, Cartman seemed to up the ante. A deserved man of the match from the sponsors.

Against Whitby, the change in personnel appeared to have an impact on how we approached the game. Sadly, with our hectic fixture schedule in the coming months, the players are going to have to make sure that such changes don’t have such a detrimental effect. In particular, players who have not been making the starting line-up for whatever reason will have to stand up and be counted when their opportunities to start come.

Having had a quick glance at the various odds on the title race for our division, while Blyth Spartans are now the clear favourites following their excellent wins over Nantwich Town and Salford City, most firms see us as second favourites. Whether we have a chance of winning the title or not, we have got to give the second half of this season a monumental push in order to try and secure the most favourable playoff position possible, preferably second place.

One of the things that I love about being in the Northern Premier League is we get to go to places that five years ago wouldn’t have even entered our thoughts. Tomorrow we get to experience another new venue when we make the trip to Crosby to play Marine.

Marine have suffered almost as badly as us when it comes to home postponements. Having been impressed with them earlier in the season when they beat us at Heritage Park, at the time, it appeared they were in a false position in the league. However, they are rock bottom of the form guide, won just two at home all season and, having survived relegation following a reprieve via the ‘AGM cup’ last season, look to be in it up to their necks in another relegation battle this season.

Hopefully, revenge for the home defeat earlier in the season will be on the minds of our players. Nothing less than a win will do. In an increasingly tight battle at the top of the league, a few goals wouldn’t go a miss either.