AFC Telford look in good nick – boss Rob Edwards

The Bucks are 19th in National League North, the Croft Park side 10th.

A win would go a huge way towards survival for Edwards’ charges, who are two points ahead of third-bottom Tamworth and face second-bottom Gainsborough Trinity on Saturday.

“We’re confident going into it. We’re in good form,” said Edwards, having won two and lost three of their last five games. “Saturday, there was no disgrace going to Stockport County and losing 1-0.

“We gave it absolutely everything, after such a quick turnaround from Thursday (the 3-2 win against Leamington).

“I don’t want to make excuses, but look at Brackley Town (losing 3-1 to Alfreton on Saturday) after playing on Thursday.

“It can affect you, it’s difficult, but no excuse. We didn’t look tired or jaded. We are positive, picking ourselves up, and going again.”

Telford chief Edwards has also spoken of his effort to simplify things for the players in recent weeks, urging them to just focus on giving their all for the cause.

They appear to be going to Blyth at a good time as Alun Armstrong’s men have lost their last six league games. The Bucks will have just three fixtures to go after tonight’s is out of the way.

“We want to see performances, but what we want to see now is people caring and fighting for the cause,” added Edwards. “We talk about that in the dressing room, in training, before the games. That’s the main thing we want now.

“The players know what we want to try to do, how we want to try to perform, and at the moment they’re doing it. They’re giving everything, and that’s all we can ask for.”

Meanwhile, Telford winger Ryan Giles has won an award from parent club Wolves.

The 18-year-old, from Telford, recently signed professional terms at Molineux, having joined the club at the age of nine, and has been announced as the club’s academy scholar of the year.

He received the award before Wolves’ 2-0 win against Birmingham on Sunday.

Giles has scored once in six appearances for the Bucks.