Analysis: Loan stars shine as AFC Telford stay up

AFC Telford United did very well, under intense pressure, to complete the job.

They have shown a lot of character over recent weeks, winning four of their last six games, and a lot of the players will be stronger for the experience – as will boss Rob Edwards. They all deserve credit for that.

Ultimately, though, staying in the division is not reason enough to celebrate.

This is the third season in a row the Bucks have spent a large chunk scrapping for their lives, managing to stave off relegation towards the end.

You can only cheat death so many times. If you keep on going in the same vein, it will eventually catch up with you.

So with this fight finished, this period is equally as important to Telford.

Now they have retained their National North status, they have to work out how they can move forward and be more of a force in the division as supporters are due some real success to savour.

Bucks chief Edwards is aware of that and feels this week is a huge one, finally being able to plan for next campaign.

There will be discussions as to what the budget will be – and whether that will be able to facilitate the aim of becoming full-time.

Also on the agenda will be which players are staying or going. On that front, Edwards believes there is a good nucleus – and it is hard to disagree.

While things need some fine-tuning, he does not need to completely rip things up and start again from scratch.

Not everyone will stay, though, of course, and two of those who appear likely to be on their way were the stand-outs in this win against Gainsborough Trinity – who, as a result, were relegated.

Ryan Giles, on loan from Wolves, was phenomenal. Gainsborough simply could not deal with him.

Marcus Dinanga, on loan from Burton Albion, was also very impressive.

Telford made no changes from the 1-0 win at Blyth Spartans last Tuesday.

The Bucks had a sense of urgency about them, dominating possession in the early stages of the clash and going close to scoring on a few occasions. Trinity were penned in.

It was one-way traffic and appeared a matter of time until the hosts would go in front.

However, against the run of play, it was Gainsborough who took the lead. Nathan Stainfield’s fairly tame shot was fumbled by Telford goalkeeper Ben Wilson, allowing Ashley Worsfold to tap in from a yard out. Extremely frustrating for boss Edwards, and everyone else associated with the Bucks.

The home side emerged early for the second period, but once play resumed they looked sluggish. Gainsborough made the most of that, doubling their advantage.

Worsfold was again the man on the mark, slotting home after Nicky Walker’s inviting cross. Awful defending.

Shane Sutton would have been massively disappointed with the manner of that goal, and soon got one of his own to hand Telford a lifeline. It was a well-placed volley, one any striker would have been proud of.

Dinanga will long remember his leveller, a bullet header which left Ravas stranded, and his toe-poke to go ahead – the latter sending the Bucks faithful into delirium.

Hopefully they can show similar qualities in the final two games – at Spennymoor Town tomorrow, and then at Boston United on Saturday – before a big summer.