NEWBURY FC will be out for revenge as they prepare for a crunch clash in the Thames Valley Premier League Division 1 on Saturday.
Manager Ben Wickens’ side go into their showdown against title rivals Tadley Calleva Res with a one-point lead over Westwood Wanderers Res.
And they are four clear of Tadley, who have two games in hand.
In the first clash between the sides at Barlow’s Park, Tadley stormed to a 5-0 win, and Wickens is determined his side will avenge that reverse.
He said: “It is a crunch game. There are still five games to go and we still have to go to Reading YMCA, but this is our last home game of the season and whoever wins it will be in pole position.
“When they beat us earlier in the season they were all up for it and deserved it.
“It was an odd game because we have scored at least two in all our other games – it was just one of those days.
“A lot of the boys have still got that game in the back of their mind.”
Wickens added: “We have got everyone available and are at full strength, so I’ve got no complaints.
“Our last four games are all away and we have struggled a bit away this season, but we have beaten all of them before.”
Newbury will be boosted by the fact that they have won all of their eight home league games this season.
And they are determined to keep their perfect record at Henwick intact.
After Tadley, Newbury face trips to basement side Woodley United Development, Burghfield Res and Reading YMCA Rapids before finishing the campaign at Maidenhead Town Res on May 11.
Newbury know that a win would take them a step closer to a return to the Premier Division.
What they don’t know, though, is where they will be playing next season.
It was hoped that the club would return full time to their former base in Faraday Road, but at present the facilities there are nowhere near the standard needed for the Premier League.
They are good enough at Henwick, so it’s looking more likely they will remain there
