Workington boss Danny Grainger says his Reds side are determined to put on a show for their fans – as they return to Borough Park for the first time in six weeks.
A long-awaited home fixture faces Grainger’s free-scoring side on Saturday when they take on Hyde United.
Manager Grainger is hoping a good crowd will back his team as they finally get back onto home soil.
His side are in good scoring form having hit 11 goals in their last four games, including Tuesday’s dramatic 4-4 draw at Marine.
“Six weeks without a home game…for players and staff it’s been a long time, and for the club financially it’s been a long time,” said Grainger.
“We need to get as many through the door as we can in this period and for them can come and get right behind us.
“It’s a chance for the fans to see the new players we’ve brought in, and hopefully a chance for us to put on a show.
“I want to entertain the fans, I want them to come and enjoy it. We’ve done it the last few weeks away from home and now we can get back in front of our own fans, hopefully they’ll enjoy the game and see us get three points.”
Grainger believes his side are in good shape having gone unbeaten in their last three games in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.
It follows a period when the boss overhauled his squad during an enforced break from action.
Signings such as Joe Bunney and Camron Gbadebo have bolstered the Reds team and the manager is happy with the shape of his squad at the moment.
“That period when we could have a reset massively helped us,” Grainger said. “It came at a great time – we were just starting to point in the wrong direction, so we re-evaluated, made some changes and I feel we’ve strengthened since that time.
“The new signings have done well and the lads here from last year have fought back in and we seem to have turned a little corner.
“I know what quality and positives we have in the team, it’s just about making sure we bring it together more often than not. Going to places like Whitby and Marine and competing as we have bodes well.
“We’ve got players like Jamie Devitt back – he had a little niggle the other week but he’s back involved, as are Bobby Carroll and Sam Smith.
“We’re starting to get back that really competitive squad which is massive for us. The likes of Joe Bunney and his experience been a massive plus for us.
“Everyone’s excited to get back to Borough Park and put on a performance the fans can enjoy.”
Workington, who are 14th, take on a fifth-placed Hyde side who knocked a young Reds XI out of the FA Trophy earlier this season.
Grainger, though, is backing his side to maintain their strong goalscoring form.
“We seem to be scoring enough – we just need to tidy up at the back a little bit,” he added.
“Although on Tuesday, Marine raked one in from 35 yards, and scored a 25-yard free-kick…sometimes you have to hold your hands up at that little bit of quality.
“Regarding the game overall, I’ve never seen anything like it – if it had finished 8-8 it wouldn’t have been an injustice.
“Every time we attacked we looked like we were going to score and it was the same for them. For me it’s one of the toughest away games and still a good point.
“We scored four good goals ourselves, we’re in good form at the moment and just need to carry it on and see where it takes us.”
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