Manager Courtney Belford says he and his players are all excited for the visit of Nuneaton Griff in a local derby at the Welfare Ground tomorrow.
AFC are seeking a third straight win on Saturday, but host a Griff side who have lost just one in seven to provide a tougher test than their league position would indicate.
And after back-to-back victories, Belford says those performances have been more representative of what he wants from his side. He said: “We’ve been a lot better with and without the ball. We’ve become more like what we saw at the start of the season, scoring early goals, having a settled back line and being more resolute defensively.
“It’s the first time we’ve been able to play a mostly similar back five and the two in front of them.
“But we’ve not become a good team in the last couple of games and likewise we won’t become a bad team if we lose a couple.”
Likewise, after a difficult start to the campaign, Belford said he always expected his old side’s form to improve. “From personal experience, I know it’s often tough at the start of the season there but today will be a very difficult game for us.
“It’s a game I’m really looking forward to, hopefully there will be a decent crowd in with local pride at stake. Me and the players are all really looking forward to it.”
It’s a game that will see plenty of connections between the players. Ash Gray, Lewis Collins and Alex Lock have all joined Griff after leaving Hinckley this season while Belford and a number of others including George Brindley, Ryan Ball and Mark Williams have all featured for Griff in the past.
Another of those is Lewis Commins, who Belford believes fans are starting to see the best of now. The winger has scored three in two starts in 2020 and the manager says he’s earned his starting place. “He’s been a real thorn in full backs’ sides. That’s the Commins I’ve worked with before and the reason I wanted to bring him to the club.
“He’s very receptive to coaching, he’s difficult to pick up, and adding goals he can be a real handful.
“The addition of Brady Middleton up front has helped too, allowing him and Luke Richards to get into the game more.”
Despite sitting second from bottom of the league, Griff’s only Division One defeat in two months came at Atherstone Town on Boxing Day – while they’ve also kept two clean sheets on the bounce despite conceding the most goals in the league.
That’s representative of their recent improvement as two in form sides go head-to-head in a local derby.
Adults: £6
Concessions: £4
Under 16s: £2 (FREE with HAFC Junior membership card)
