Revelling in his role as Macc’s Captain Marvel, Paul Turnbull admits he can’t wait to have a second crack at Altrincham. But there’s no chance of the skipper or his team mates looking beyond tomorrow night’s tough trip to Aldershot.
John Askey’s men extended the unbeaten run to 13 games with victory over Woking on Saturday, courtesy of Turnbull’s 89th-minute winner.
And a potential second-place is on offer should they come away from the Recreation Ground with what would be their third away success this season, one that would set them up nicely to face the Robins this weekend, a mouth-watering match in prospect, courtesy of the FA Trophy draw.
So there’s no chance of ‘Bully’ or anyone else at the Moss Rose taking Aldershot lightly. Especially since Andy Scott’s side are also preparing for a replay against League One Rochdale with a place in the third round of the FA Cup against Nottingham Forest awaiting the victors.
“It was a massive win against Woking, they had a game in hand but that puts us right back in the play-off picture and puts us on the same points now so hopefully we can push on from here,” said the former Wilmslow High School student, who’s still only 25. “There were a lot of bodies in the box – I just thought ‘just hit the target’ – you've every chance if you can do that.
“It took a little nick on the way through and that meant the keeper had no chance really. But I think we deserved it, we played well in the first half, we were OK against a good team but in the second half we were much better – the three points is the most important thing, and we’re back up there.”
Turnbull and co are in no doubt that another 90 minutes of toil await them at Aldershot, but the captain says they’re setting their sights on the heights of the league.
“We had to dig in against Woking but we’ve dug in and done that all season,” he added. “They’re one of the most in-form teams in the league, they were second at one point and now we’re on the same points so we’re right up there.”
And away from league matters, there’s this weekend’s FA Trophy tie, down the road at Altrincham.
Macc last visited Moss Lane at the end of September but it’s not a night that anyone at the club will remember with great relish. Turnbull himself was nursing a back injury, that saw him sit out the following game against Forest Green Rovers.
So, two important games in the space of four days await the Silkmen. And their on-field leader’s confident they can get the right results in both.
“Aldershot will be another tough one, it’s a good old trip for us,” he said. “I’ve played down there a few times, I think it’s a nice pitch, it’ll suit us and as long as we play like we did today we’ll give ourselves a chance.
“And we owe Altrincham one, it’s a great tie for us, we couldn’t have asked for a better draw than to get a chance to play them again – we want to get our own back and get through to the next round.”
