Consistency is key for Bamber Bridge as they target play-off positions
Bamber Bridge boss Jamie Milligan admits it has been a topsy-turvy first half of the season for his side.
But the Brig boss reckons many managers in the NPL Premier Division will be saying much the same thing.
Early in the campaign, the men from Irongate found themselves in the play-off positions after a fine start to the season which saw them pick up 10 points from their opening five games.
However, an inconsistent spell preceded a worrying period when the team lost five games on the trot – including four in the league – to slip perilously close to the relegation zone.
But in a reversal of fortunes, Brig have picked up five wins out of six in all competition – rising to 10th in the table.
They are only eight points shy of the play-offs with games in hand on the majority of the teams above them.
"I think most teams in the league will be a bit like that,” said Milligan, whose side host Warrington Town this evening after their scheduled match at Guiseley was postponed due to a frozen pitch.
"I think everybody will have a little wobble at some point but when a team can put a run together of three, four, five wins – you can just climb the table quickly.
"We’ve just got to try to keep that consistency.”
Clitheroe will target another giant-killing act this evening when they travel to Glanford Park to take on Scunthorpe United in the FA Trophy fourth round.
The Blues were due to face the National League outfit on Saturday, but the tie was post-poned due to a frozen pitch.
How-ever, temperatures have risen this week meaning Clitheroe will have another chance to add to their growing list of scalps.
A trip to The Iron – who have been ranked as high as the Championship in the Football League in their history – should be a daunting prospect for the NPL West Division outfit.
But considering they have already beaten other ex-Football League clubs on their own patch in this year's competition, Sean McConville’s (above) men will head into the encounter in confident mood.
In round two, they defeated Chester at the Deva Stadium 1-0 and then overcame York City in the next round 4-3 on penalties after the tie had finished 1-1.
Elsewhere tonight, in the North West Counties Premier Division, Burscough host South Liverpool.
"