Head coach Ben Williams admits that Saturday’s derby defeat to Market Rasen and Louth left him with mixed emotions.
Club stalwart Williams concedes that he left Tyrell’s Yard in a very gloomy state of mind following the 45-7 reverse.
But he considers the performance as the best he’s seen from Town so far this season – and has heaped praise on his players.
He said: “I went away after Saturday’s game and was very disheartened and concerned. But when I actually thought about it on Monday, I realised that it was one of our best performances of the season.
“Our structure was much better and we really defended our line well. We also put them under a lot of pressure.
“We were weak in a few positions, but if we had fielded our strongest side I really do think we could have caused a bit of a shock.
“I’m trying to change things here and we’re implementing a few new things.
“It’s nice to see that slowly starting to show in the matches we’re playing and we’ll only get stronger.
“I actually have to take my hat off to some of the lads. They’ve been getting beaten heavily all season, but I can still see a confidence there and lots of belief.
“It’s all very positive as far as I’m concerned.”
Despite all of the positives, Town’s latest loss was their 20th of the season from as many matches.
Williams does admit that rock-bottom Spalding (14th) are in dire straits ahead of this weekend’s trip to a Newark side that are 21 points ahead of them in 12th place.
Nothing but maximum points will do for Town if they are to have any chance of avoiding the drop – and Williams accepts that the clash is “must win” for his charges.
He added: “Newark is going to be a big clash, it’s another derby of sorts.
“We’ve got a few injured again, but I don’t want to be seen to be making excuses.
“Let’s be honest, it’s a must-win game for us if we want to stay up.
“From what I saw last weekend, I have every confidence that the lads will go there and get a shock win.
“We’ll certainly be going there looking to do just that.”
