AFC Telford preview: Bucks happy to be back on home turf

Telford go into Tuesday night's game (7.45pm) a point behind their first-placed opponents, having missed another opportunity to go top of the Southern Central Premier with the weekend’s 3-1 away loss.

The Bucks go into the Bedford game with a weakened squad compared to the XI which went top just over a week ago, with Remi Walker unlikely to be match fit.

Wilkin said: “I think it’ll be different on our surface. It's a good surface where it will allow you to pass and play and every team thrives on there, that comes to the SEAH stadium.

“But yeah, we've got to show enough about it to move the ball in the manner and the character that we're capable of.

“I think they've got a little bit fortunate. The first goal’s taken a wicked deflection, but albeit he's got into that situation, that moment a bit too easily.

“The second penalty is just a really poor, lazy moment.

“Dangling a leg in that situation, just gifts them a chance and an opportunity and when you do that, you're going to give yourself a mountain to climb. And that's exactly what we did, you know, not staying concentrated for the second period.

“Again, we've allowed them to score soon after half-time and then we really have got an uphill struggle.”

Telford’s away trip to Bedford in early January saw Matty Stenson score a brace, as the Bucks’ No.9 came off the bench to help his side come from 2-1 down to win 3-2.

Ricardo Dinanga, who moved to Shrewsbury Town days before the Alvechurch fixture, scored Telford’s other goal.

With his departure, and Remi Walker unlikely to feature in Tuesday’s game, Wilkin called on his weakened side to focus for the full 90 minutes.

“Our concentration levels need to be better, you know, management of the ball in certain areas," he said. “For 40 minutes. I don't think we really had a problem with what the home team were offering.

“We were composed and made good decisions, won the battles, put the ball in good areas, passed the ball when we were able to, and looked the far more likely side.

“And then to come in at half time, at 2-1, it's not baffling because you've got to stay focused and concentrated. You've got to understand an opposition will have their period against you, however long you allow that to be.

“When they've had their period, we've allowed that to crystallise, in them scoring two goals and that isn't good enough.

“And again, you know, league position wise, great opportunity for us that we've missed to really close the lead down and that's disappointing.”

On Walker’s injury, Wilkin added: “I think he's progressing pretty well.

“Whether Tuesday comes too soon, we'll have to see, but he's certainly moving the right way.

“It'll be great to have him in and around it, and available again.

“Clearly you want your good players back in and around it and everybody to choose from ideally.”