Ross: It’s a squad game

Ben Welch

REDBRIDGE manager Dave Ross has challenged his fringe players to seize their chances as the club prepare for three games in six days, by Ben Welch.

After Saturday's goalless stalemate with VCD Athletic and Tuesday night's 1-1 draw at Leyton, the Motormen host VCD tonight (Thursday), before home games with Ware (Saturday) and Harlow Town (Tuesday).

The fixture pile-up is going to stretch Ross' squad to breaking point and the Oakside chief believes this is an opportunity for bench warmers to become heroes when they get their opening.

"We've got a lot of games coming up and I'm going to have to make lots of changes to rest tired legs," said Ross, who has signed Canterbury City midfielder Craig White.

"There are players in the squad who think they should be playing more regularly, so this is their chance to step up and prove their worth."

With two teams going down this season, third-bottom Redbridge are in danger of dropping to rung five of the non-league pyramid.

Ross challenged his team to turn their games in hannds into points, but was philosophical over this week's haul.

"If you'd offered me a point from Saturday's game against VCD I would have taken it, but in retrospect I'm disappointed," he said.

"We dominated the game and I see it as two points dropped.

"Leyton are second from bottom and level on points with us so obviously a win was crucial, but I think a draw was a fair result, it was just disappointing to concede such a late goal."

Leon Diaczuk gave the Motormen a first half lead at the Leyton Stadium, but sloppy defending gifted the Lilywhites a late equaliser.

"I'm going to make a lot of changes for tonight's (Thursday) game. Although the boys are telling me they're fit to play, they're not. At least half the team will be rested," said Ross.

"Our games in hand will quickly disappear so we need to make sure we turn them into points.