With last weekend's match postponed to accommodate Melton's cup fixture, Manager Tris Whitman put the free Saturday to good use, as he explained. "We used last Saturday as an opportunity to get the lads in for some team bonding and training. The morning started off with some breakfast at the ground and a chance to analyse previous games as a group. We then broke into two teams where we did 90 mins of coaching in an 11v11 format with some running in between. The day finished off with the lads going to the local pub for a couple of drinks. As a management team we felt it was important to utilise our time to incorporate some form of bonding alongside training".

That was the second training session in a week having played a behind closed doors friendly against Holwell. Whitman continued. "Last Monday's game vs Holwell was another good opportunity to get minutes into the lads and to assess the squad in full. Holwell provided a good challenge and the game was played at a good tempo meaning we had to move the ball quickly.

"Although the result wasn’t meaningful, it was more the performance which was most pleasing with some really good examples of what we want from the players. It was good to see us playing with more confidence and expressing ourselves without the fear of having to get a result, which is something we definitely need to now replicate when the league fixtures pick up over Christmas".

Preparations continue tonight (Tuesday) and Whitman is hopeful this can be reflected on the pitch with an improved performance Saturday. "The lads will be back in on Tuesday to prepare for Saturday's game, where we hope to start to see some of the stuff we’ve worked on over the last two weeks displayed on the pitch, which will hopefully see an upturn in performances and results over the Christmas schedule".

Meanwhile Skipper Aaron Short gave his reflections on what has been a difficult few months for the club. "Whilst the last 2 months have been a whirlwind with comings and goings, the lads are in good spirits, and we enjoyed our Christmas night out in Lincoln despite the disappointing result against Boston.

"Since the new gaffer and team have come in it's felt like nothing short of constant positivity and belief in the squad. There's been plenty of chats about what he expects from us, both as individual players and collectively as a team to ensure that we come good on the pitch and implement the way in which he wants us to play, both in and out of possession.

"The last 3 games have been a mixed bag. With the Lincoln game it was a very welcomed win to boost morale but then on the flip, it was disappointing to not pick up anything from the last 2 - especially Deeping where I felt we were good enough for at least a point".

There is always a focus on the table during the Christmas period but perhaps three points from the last 9 was about on target albeit perhaps not in the way they were achieved. There are enough games still left to play for Yellows to move up the table as Short expressed. "Whilst our position isn't ideal, we are in a much better position than last year with pretty much everyone still left to play, so now it's time for us to kick on and start climbing that table. As always, the support from the fans is what drives us on and we thank them for that, so it will be good to get back on home turf this coming weekend".

KIDS ENTRY IS FREE FOR U16's on Saturday and we are also asking those who are able to, to support our collection of tinned items for the Hucknall Food Bank by bringing items to this match.

Finally all are welcome to the Christmas Party straight after the match on Saturday.