Austin admits there’s a target on backs of title-chasing Harborough Town
Mitch Austin says he is expecting every team Harborough Town face between now and the end of the season will 'have that extra edge' as they bid to be the side that derails the Bees' title charge.
As the season enters the final third, Harborough remain four points adrift of Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central leaders Spalding United, but they have the little matter of four games in hand.
The destination of the championship and promotion is very much in the Bees' own hands, especially as they have lost just two of their 27 fixtures to date, with 15 left to play.
But Austin knows he and his players will have a target on their backs whoever they play between now and the end of April, starting with the trip to Stratford Town this Saturday (ko 3pm).
"I think every fixture we have got remaining, regardless of where teams are in the league, will be tough," Austin told @HarbTownFC following last Saturday's hard-fought win over rock-bottom Royston Town.
"There is great incentive for them to derail the title challenge, and we are in a competitive position.
"For the teams we come up against there will be that extra edge, they will be thinking 'can we stop this really good Harborough team that has won a lot of games?'
"So for us it is about staying focused and it was good that we ticked off Saturday.
"We have a free week now which will give us a better time to prepare with the injured lads, and have a good week on feeling out what we are going to play against at Stratford.
"Barring the last couple of games I think they were the form team in the league, so they are capable, like everybody is in this league.
"We can be upset if we are not bang at it, and it is my job to keep them bang at it."
Stratford will go into Saturday’s game off the back of two away 1-0 defeats, with the latest coming on Saturday at third-placed Real Bedford, who are top of the form table with seven straight wins.
But Austin will be well aware that the The Bards are in the middle of a great run of home form, having won their past five matches at The DCS Stadium, a run stretching back to November, and they are unbeaten at home in their past seven.
The previous league meeting between the sides at the Bee Hive ended in a 0-0 draw in October.
Stratford will go into the game sitting 12th and eight points outside the play-off places.