NEW VALLEY boss Dale Belford was still in upbeat mood despite opening his managerial account with back-to-back league defeats at Stocksbridge and Market Drayton.
Belford opened his managerial account with a 1-0 defeat Stocksbridge on Saturday and on Tuesday night Valley lost 2-1 at Market Drayton.
The two defeats leave Rubgy second from bottom in the Northern Premier League Division One South and Belford is keen to stamp his mark on the team having drafted in striker Jake Healy and defender Spencer Smith, while also securing an extension to the loans of Northampton Town duo Danny Clifton and Sam Warburton.
“I really feel for the players,” said Belford. “They are clearly an honest and hardworking bunch, and they have been done by a cruel goal deep into stoppage time on Saturday and then just couldn’t sustain things on Tuesday after playing really well in the first half.
“Whilst I am looking to change the playing style a little, and hopefully that has been evident in the first couple of games, we also know that we need to grind out a few results in the league in the coming weeks too.
“First and foremost we needed to boost the squad as it was a little light in numbers so I called in a couple of favours to get Jake and Spencer, but in the short term I want to give everybody the opportunity to prove they want to be at the club, and then we’ll take it from there.”
Belford took over the Town reins last week after previous manager Gary Mills resigned from the role and he is raring to go after a year out of the game.
“It’s great to be back involved in football, but I know it’s going to be a tough challenge here – which is no reflection on the previous management by the way.
“I fully understood the remit when I agreed to take the job and I’ve been in similar situations previously.
“When I took over at Atherstone they were in a precarious position, and at Tamworth it seemed like every season in the Conference National was a firefighting exercise – so I know what needs to be done and we will be working hard to turn things round.”
Next up for Valley is an FA Cup second qualifying round tie against Lincoln United at Butlin Road and with David Kolodynski available again after missing the last games, Belford is confident his side can return to winning ways.
The two teams have already met in the Evostik NPL South Division already this season, with honours even in a 1-1 draw at Butlin Road at the start of this month, when a Kolodynski second half strike cancelled out United’s opener just before the interval.
He added: “I’m really looking forward to the match. I’ve had good luck in the competition over the years, having reached the third round proper a couple of times and it’s time this club had a decent run in it too.
“It’s a favourable draw in terms of it being at home and against a team from our own division, but I’m sure that Lincoln will be looking at that last factor in the same way.”
