Castle wants to build on unbeaten run

STEVE Castle wants his side to keep up their good form until the end of the season so that they can use it as a confidence booster for next season. City are unbeaten in seven games and have only conceded once during that time and Castle wants his side to

STEVE Castle wants his side to keep up their good form until the end of the season so that they can use it as a confidence booster for next season.

City are unbeaten in seven games and have only conceded once during that time and Castle wants his side to just keep going out and winning games.

"I said to them tonight before the game; let's not let the season fizzle out. Let's win as many football games as possible, if that means that it's possible for us to get into sixth then we'll get into sixth.

"We'll just keep on winning football games, if you like as a confidence booster for next season and we'll just take it from there."

Castle was unhappy with his side's level of performance during Saturday's draw with Newport County but there was a marked improvement in the Dorchester game.

"It is the results business and we got the result. It wasn't a pretty game of football it hasn't sent the crowd home thinking what great football that was played there. The pitch was conducive to that, it's raining at the moment; if we'd had a little bit more rain it might have settled that pitch down a little bit.

"First half we created some good chances, we looked good counter attacking, we needed that second goal to finish things off but we never got it and we hung on and hung on. They kept at it, they're fighting for their lives but I suppose the result is all important. It wasn't a pretty performance but we've played a lot better, I look back over the season; Worcester City arguably the best football of the season at their place and we lost the game so we'll take it."

City could have had more goals but were let down by the final pass and Castle believes this wasn't helped by the state of the pitch.

"For me it was the final ball all over. We got in some cracking positions especially in the first half and just that final ball wasn't there and it was getting cut out and we weren't getting the chances from it. The approach play was better, as I say on a tricky pitch, we gave it as much as we could and the attitude was good and the endeavour was good so there's a lot of plus points out of it."

James Fisher and James Quilter were left nursing face injuries after a bruising encounter with Dorchester centre-forward Phil Walsh while Ronayne Marsh-Brown was sent off by referee Sean Feerick for a late challenge on Solomon Shields, a deicision Castle thinks was harsh.

"The referee missed quite a few points but I'm not here to be criticising him. They were quite physical especially up top, and the lad up top, blonde lad the ten he was a physical lad going up with leverage but the elbow obviously did strike both James Fisher and James Quilter and arguably that lad was lucky to stay on the football pitch. "Then there's the dubious one where I think he's just caught Solomon Shields and the referee has decided it's a straight red which I agree is harsh."

Lee Butcher continued his good run of form in goal and with Paul Bastock declaring himself fit for Saturday's trip to Thurrock, Castle says he's feeling the pressure.

"He's putting me under a bit of pressure because I know Mr Bastock wants to play on Saturday!

"Lee can do no more. The last two games he's been as busy as he has since he's been here. It had to be an unbelievable goal on Saturday to beat him and today he's looked very, very assured and we'll look to build on clean sheets. I'm pleased for him and I'm pleased for the back four.