NICK Crittenden sees no reason why Dorchester Town cannot enjoy a profitable run in the FA Trophy this season.
The talented winger, who has been in red-hot form of late, held the trophy aloft with Yeovil Town back in 2002 and he fully expects his side to see off St Albans City at the Avenue Stadium this afternoon (3pm) to progress to the second round of this season’s competition.
Crittenden told Echosport: “The FA Trophy is a massive money spinner for the club. In fact, I spoke to the gaffer earlier in the week and said to him that I felt we had a good chance of doing well in it this year.
“With the way we are playing at the moment, if we could get through this afternoon and go on and get a couple of good home draws, there is no reason why we couldn’t have a decent run in it.
“And even if we came up against a Conference club, it would provide us with a great opportunity to prove ourselves against higher opposition.
“With the loss of the two derby games against Weymouth this year, this competition takes on even more importance in terms of getting some money into the club so there is no doubt that we will be going all out to get as far as we can.”
If the Magpies beat the Saints they will scoop £5,000 and on current form not many people would bet against them.
Town have won six out of their last eight in all competitions and sit in 14th spot in Blue Square Bet South where bottom-of-the-table City have lost six of their last seven.
Crittenden added: “We got our season off to a disappointing start but to be honest, after the opening two months, I did not think we deserved to be where we found ourselves.
“It was a case where we were playing well but not getting the results. However, despite being bottom, we stuck to what we believed in and just lately it has been working out for us.
“I think everyone knows what is expected of them tactically now. We hold our shape a lot better, we are not conceding as many goals and we are also converting more of our chances.
“And if we can go on from here and have another good couple of months, we will be there or thereabouts to where we want to be.
“The important thing is that we don’t get complacent and keep working. We have had a little break with games being called off due to the weather, and it is vital that we immediately try and pick up from where we left off.”
Magpies’ boss Ashley Vick-ers has lauded Crittenden’s performances of late and the 32 year-old has put his form down to his improved fitness.
He said: “I had an ankle operation this time last year but it has only been the last couple of months where I have actually felt 100 per cent.
“At the start of the season I could still feel a bit of pain but now it feels fine and at the moment I feel as fit as I have been in years.”
Crittenden also paid tribute to forward Danny Ings, describing the AFC Bourne-mouth man as the “spark” behind Dorchester’s turnaround in fortunes.
He added: “Danny was a bit of a revelation when he was on loan here. He had that bit of extra quality on the ball that is so hard to come by the further you go down the leagues, and he had that ability where he could produce something out of nothing.
“The amount of assists and goals he provided was fantastic and there is no doubt that he sparked the turnaround.
“He is back at Bournemouth now but there is no doubt that he has left us in good shape. And with the likes of Rico Wilson and James Coutts waiting to get their chance, we have a couple of excellent replacements on standby.”
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