Sam’s Section: “We need them to stay fit and sacrifice themselves” says Longworth as Hartpury look to settle title race

Hartpury University FC manager, Martin Longworth, called for his side to “sacrifice” themselves as they look to wrap up the Hellenic League Premier title.

Hartpury need just five wins to lift a second successive title but could also all but wrap it up in the next six days when they play out three games.

“We know it’s in our hands really over anyone else’s. We’ve got to keep the lads level headed but they’re really ambitious young people who want to do well.

“It probably is in the forefront of the players mind; you can’t be naïve about that. But within the management staff at the minute, we’re just taking every game as it comes.

“We need them to sacrifice, we need them to do everything they can to stay fit, stay healthy for the next four or five weeks to give us the best chance at achieving our goals and ambitions,” Longworth said.

Longworth’s side first travel to Malmesbury Victoria on Thursday night before taking on Slimbridge and Lydney Town on Saturday and Tuesday when they could be almost champions, if Roman Glass were to drop points in that period.

“I know we’re playing teams in the bottom half of the table, but they’ve all got something to play for and fight for.

“We’re not going to take anyone lightly.

“We’ve never won in Malmesbury in two visits there as a manager so, I kind of want to make hat right when we go there,” he said.

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Glass take on SC Inkberrow and Fairford away from home on Saturday and Tuesday which could be pivotal results in the title race, but Longworth knows his team can only control their own fate.

“But I really want the lads to focus on the next five league games we have before the Vase game because if we control the controllables in them, our destiny is in our own hands,” he said.

And Longworth’s side could have the title all done and dusted before their historic FA Vase semi-final against Whitstable Town.

Longworth is adamant he wants his side going into the cup games already champions hoping it will take some of the pressure off the players.

“It’s been a great season with the FA Cup run, making history the FA Vase, going well in the league and we’ve put ourselves in an unbelievable position with seven games to go.

“We’ve parked it with lads say, ‘we can’t talk about that.’ But behind the scenes it’s an exciting time. We have hierarchy getting involved, a large crowd to break our attendance record and some really exciting chances with sponsorship.

“We see it now as getting the job done as quickly as possible,” he said.

Hartpury University head to Malmesbury Victoria tonight, before hosting Slimbridge on Saturday lunchtime.

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