EIGHT games to go until the end of the season and I think it is fair to say we’d love to have all those games be as regulation as Saturday’s victory over Sutton Coldfield Town.

Having been given two really tough games by The Royals on their synthetic pitch this season, it was reasonable to think that they would push us all of the way at Heritage Park. As it was, the game was very straight forward, especially after taking the lead so early with Scott Lycett heading in to his own net after three minutes.

Yet again, a Terry Galbraith dead ball leads to a goal. It is well documented that the Darlo left back is now in double figures for goals, but it’s his assists that have been the biggest asset this season. I sang his praises last week, but I just can’t stop thinking how well he has adapted to the level of this division. Is there a better and more productive left-back in the Northern Premier League?

Speaking of excellent players, the second goal spoke volumes of the two players involved. The determination of Stephen Thompson, who looked like a man possessed when he came on, to win the ball back and feed Nathan Cartman who provided a sublime finish.

All in all, it was a good performance without having to get out of the low gears. With the week that we have coming up, that’s a good thing.

I know all involved will be looking at each game as it comes and rightfully so. However, if you will indulge me for a moment, I can’t help but think that this week ahead of us contains the pivotal games.

Our first game is the trip to this season’s surprise package, Frickley Athletic. Despite winning comfortably against the South Elmsall-based side earlier in the season at Heritage Park, they have turned themselves around quite spectacularly. In particular, they have become highly competent playing at their Westfield Lane home. They’ve got plenty of goals in them, scoring three or more goals in eight of their 20 home matches to date. Meanwhile, at the back, they’ve only conceded 19 in twenty at home which is very respectable.

With our other opponents this week, Nantwich and Grantham, having games at the same time as us ahead of our respective fixtures thus not gaining a significant advantage over us, the game at Frickley feels like it has added importance. If we can get any sort of result there, preferably a win, it should set us up nicely.

I fancy if we secure seven points from our next three games, our chances of winning the title will be substantially increased. After this week, we have three very winnable home games with a few days off in between with the Thursday night being vacant.

Whatever does happen, whether we win the title or not, there is a real feeling that the club is heading in the right direction, both on and off the pitch. On Saturday, I saw a couple of faces in the Tin Shed that I’ve not seen since we decamped to Bishop Auckland. Whatever happens on the pitch, seeing those lapsed fans being bitten by the bug and returning to the fold is far more important. With more of those fans attending, the possibilities for future success both on and off the pitch are far greater than without them.

The Northern Echo:

IMPACT: Stephen Thompson played like a man possessed when he came on as a sub on Saturday. Picture: STUART BOULTON