Cameron vows to overcome setback

12:16pm Friday 11th April 2008

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Manager Dave Cameron will be aiming to use the disappointment the players experienced by finishing up with losers' medals after the midweek West Riding County Cup final to Avenue's advantage.

They faced a side two divisions higher as they lined up against Blue Square North promotion hopefuls Harrogate Town and the 6-0 scoreline flattered Town as it was not a true reflection of the game.

Harrogate were deserved winners - but so they should have been. A comparison would be Bradford City taking on West Brom, Watford or even Dean Windass's Hull City in a one-off game for a major trophy.

Observers looking at Halifax Town's 6-1 defeat to Kidderminster on Tuesday may have concluded The Shaymen are a spent force - but they bounced back to beat Ebbsfleet United two days later.

Avenue's loss to Harrogate is nowhere near as damaging and Cameron, a former striker at The Shay, will use his vast knowledge of the game to turn the cup defeat into a motivational tool.

He will beg his players to remember that feeling of bitter disappointment, then he will urge them to erase it before the season ends. He will point out the UniBond Division One North title is still up for grabs and promotion would make a far better end to the season than a fleeting moment in the limelight. It is also a fair contest against their peers.

Cameron said: "If someone had said to me when I came here that in the first ten games we would win eight, draw one and lose one - then go into a cup final and still have the league to go for - I would have given them 50 quid, I would have been so contented.

"It's always nice to be in a cup final and it was a yardstick for us. We know where we want to be heading and if we are playing clubs like Harrogate Town week in week out in league competition in a couple of years' time, we know what to expect now.

"My players won't be feeling sorry for themselves and they shouldn't need lifting because they have done well so far and the main prize is still reachable.

"I have been looking at the run-ins for the clubs still mathematically capable of winning our division and I think we have the best chance, although the other managers probably think the same about their own club. But four of our last six matches are at home and, given our form at Horsfall, that is a big advantage to us.

"The loss at Curzon, being held to a draw at home by FC United and the recent spate of injuries haven't helped but those things make you stronger and double your determination.

"The players will feel more rewarded if they overcome an obstacle or two. It will be more satisfying for them if we do gain promotion."

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