Source: Northwich Guardian

 NORTHWICH co-manager Alan Wright says he will try to keep his players' focus on football ahead of tomorrow’s crunch clash with FC United of Manchester.

It could be Vics’ last match in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League for a while if the club’s appeal against expulsion from the competition for breaking finance rules is unsuccessful.

“We’ll have to prepare as if we will be in the play-offs and if we’re not, then that’s the moment to deal with that situation,” said Wright.

“That’s not an easy thing to do, but it’s the way we have to approach both this game and next few days ahead.”

Ryan Wade’s headed winner against Bradford Park Avenue in midweek made certain that Northwich will finish as runners-up to Cheshire neighbours Chester.

However the team has been barred from the promotion play-offs unless owner Jim Rushe can convince an FA appeal panel on Tuesday that such a sanction is unjust.

Wright and co-manager Martin Foyle were told of the league’s decision in the minutes after last Friday’s defeat against Hednesford Town at Leek’s Harrison Park.

“There’s been all sorts of turmoil behind the scenes if I’m honest,” said Wright.

“Martin and I felt we’d been kept in the dark a little bit, but the chairman did at least come to us before kick off on Tuesday to explain what the situation is.

“We’re still a bit at sixes and sevens though as we don’t know what will happen next.”

The former Aston Villa full back, appointed as then caretaker manager Paul Simpson’s right hand man in February following Andy Preece’s resignation, praised the players’ reaction on the pitch in Tuesday’s 1-0 win.

By Andrew Simpson

Wade’s winner, steering Nathan Woolfe’s curved cross past Bradford custodian John Lamb with power, was not without planning either.

Wright added: “We’d been working on Ryan [Wade] arriving at the back post to get on the end of crosses. I don’t think he wanted to head it, mind!

“The back four were solid at the other end too, so it was nice to keep a clean sheet.

“I don’t think they threatened us at all, which was pleasing. We didn’t need to chase the game in the second half either as we already had our noses in front.”