Better away days are the key for a top eight finish (From Warrington Guardian)

Better away days are the key for a top eight finish

NANTWICH Town player boss Steve Davis is targeting improvement in the New Year with a top eight finish in NWC Division One.

It's been a solid enough season so far for the Dabbers but Davis is looking for more than double their 29 points collected at the halfway stage.

More away points are the key.

"We're looking to have a better second half to the season," he explained.

"We're on 29 points and we'll be looking to get more than 29 points from the rest of our games.

"I think it's achievable, we've got a stronger squad than we started the season with.

"We need to win more games away from home, that's the goal.

"If we do that and continue to win our home games, we'll start to climb up the table and a top eight finish is our ultimate aim this season."

Nantwich's trip to Stone Dominoes was called off due to a frozen pitch on Monday.

They kick-off their New Year ambitions in what should be an interesting derby against Newcastle Town at Jackson Avenue, this Monday, KO 3pm.

Revenge is on their minds after losing a bizarre 5-2 goal frenzy against ex-boss Nigel Gleghorn's promotion hopefuls, last month.

"We'll try and avenge that," continued Davis.

"It was strange, the way the scoring went.

"We gave ourselves a chance getting back to 2-2 and then threw it away."

Matt Bradbury will not play under condition of the loan deal between the two clubs while striker Jon Scarlett could be out with a lengthy ban.

"We can't play Matt which is fair enough," added Davis.

"We're appealing to the FA so there's hope for John who picked it up during some five-a-side.

"It's around 70 days which seems a bit severe to me.

"I've always thought it's ridiculous that it's days, it should be matches.

"It's a lot of time and it finishes a player's season, he wouldn't be back until March and we finish in April."