Matt backs Werneth to turn tide

CRICKET: DEFIANT Werneth skipper Matt Taylor insists his side can beat the drop from the Premier Division of the Lake Garage CLL.

Werneth prop up the rest in the top flight without a win and are still smarting from defeat by relegation rivals Clifton last weekend. But Taylor insists the side’s first victory is round the corner.

The Coppice outfit travel to Littleborough tomorrow before hosting Royton on Sunday in what should be a close derby showdown.

Said Taylor: “I know we have not won a league match this season, but I am confident we will soon.

“Confidence is the key. Last season, when we were winning most weeks (and ultimately going up as champions), we were edging all the close games. Now we are losing them.

“It can all change and I have no doubt we have got the players needed. We continue to train very hard, but just need that win, then hopefully others will follow.

Injuries to Joe Taylor and the skipper himself have hardly helped Werneth’s cause, but the outlook is brighter. Joe broke his thumb on the opening day of the season, but he will turn out for the second team this weekend.

“And I am much better after breaking my toe against Walsden. The pain has gone now so I hope to run in hard and get some wickets for the team.”

Royton, third from bottom of the division, also need a change of luck, starting tomorrow at home to Rochdale.

Sunday’s derby at the Coppice is not the only local battle this weekend. Oldham host Crompton on Sunday after entertaining Milnrow 24 hours earlier.

Crompton, meanwhile, are at home to Ashton tomorrow - a vital derby for both teams. Crompton have a decent side on paper, but are not playing anywhere close to their potential.

And although Oldham are bottom of the Championship, they looked much better than that when running Norden pretty close in the Wood Cup quarter-finals last Sunday.