Andy White: We’re focused on what we can control

Warrington Town left-back Andy White believes the squad cannot afford to let the magnitude of Saturday’s clash against Hyde United derail their usual preparations.

The Yellows will go into the final round of the regular Northern Premier League season knowing that second place will be secured if they equal or better Bamber Bridge’s result at home to Ashton United.

With a home play-off semi-final already in the bag, second place would guarantee a play-off final at Cantilever Park, should Mark Beesley’s side make it to that stage. 

Town come into the game looking to bounce back from last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to South Shields – a result which also ended the club’s 22-game unbeaten run in the league.

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Saturday’s visitors come into the match in a three-way fight for the final play-off spot, and anything other than a win could see the Tigers drop out of the top five on the final day.

White insists the players are treating it like any other league fixture as they go in search of an important three points.

“We’ve got to just look at it like any other game really,” he said.

“Every match we go into, we try and get the three points, especially at home in front of a big crowd. We know it’s in our control, and if we win the game we guarantee second. 

“That’s one of the most important things, to try and get home advantage in the semi-final and then the play-off final. 

“We’ll be giving everything to get the three points, and we just completely focus on ourselves and what we can control.

“It should be a competitive game because they’re fighting for the play-offs and we’re fighting for second. It should be a good advertisement for the Northern Premier League, and hopefully we can get a big crowd there getting behind us.”

Last Saturday, the Yellows tasted defeat for the first time since mid-November, on the day South Shields officially lifted the Northern Premier League trophy. 

Having lost influential defender Tom Hannigan moments before kick-off, a slow start to the contest saw the squad go 2-0 down inside the opening 10 minutes. 

However, White was pleased with the way the group responded to such adversity and almost took something from the contest.

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“Once our emotions settled after the game, looking back at it, we had enough chances to get a point at least out of the game,” he admitted.

“We’re not that negative to be honest, because we could have easily drawn that game, or even won it after some of the chances we had in the second half. Confidence is so high.

“Going away to the league leaders, the best team in the league on merit, losing your centre-half and having your number 10 go in minutes before kick-off – that’s probably why we conceded two in the first 10 minutes. 

“After that, we settled down and grew into the game. If you take out the first 10 minutes, then you’d be really happy with the performance.”

You can read more from Andy White in Saturday’s matchday programme, which will be available to purchase for just £2 at Cantilever Park.