Jack Mackreth: Yellows leaders must come to the fore

The more experienced players within Warrington Town’s dressing room must stand up and be counted between now and the end of the season, says winger Jack Mackreth. 

The Yellows, currently fifth in the Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division, have been buoyed in recent weeks by back-to-back victories against FC United of Manchester and Morpeth Town.

Ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Morpeth, their second consecutive league match against the Highwaymen, Mackreth stressed the importance of the senior players within Mark Beesley’s squad showing their big-game nous. 

“I’ve been there with a couple of different clubs,” he said. “At Warrington, we were unfortunately beaten by Kings Lynn [in the Super Play-Off final].

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“What we’ve done well at the club is we have kept the core of the group from that team; myself, Robbo [Mark Roberts], Mitch Duggan, Mossy [Josh Amis] and Bohan [Dixon].

“I think it’s crucial because we know how to hold our nerve, keep calm and concentrate on our own game.

“We’ve been there and done it, which is something that we can teach the younger players.

“For some of the lads who are beginning to make a mark in their careers, it’s just about guiding them through the game. Whether you’re winning or losing, game management is something that is helped by experience.”

Mackreth has developed into a key component within the Yellows first team, making over 100 appearances for the club in all competitions since joining in 2018. 

The former Tranmere Rovers junior insists their current crop of players are more than capable of challenging for promotion to the league above.

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“In my first year at the club, we had a really strong squad, and [this year’s team] probably compares to that,” Mackreth said.

“During Covid, the squad was broken and pieced back together, but it’s the first time in particular that, coming into the business end of the season, we’ve got a good team spirit again.

“It’s the first time where it’s felt like we’ve got that same sort of mentality of trying to win games and press in high-tempo matches that we had in my first season when we came so close.

“Hopefully with the experience that we’ve got in the team now, we might be able to go that little bit further this time.”

With the second of back-to-back games against Morpeth on the horizon, Mackreth believes his side must retain their focus ahead of a gruelling midweek trip to Craik Park. 

He added: “Every game is a test for us. The team who turns up on the day will come away with three points, regardless of where you are in the table.

“It’s going to be a big test for us. We need to win all of our games now, so we need to really turn up on the day and worry about ourselves.”