Mitch Duggan: Clean sheets give us something to build on

Warrington Town’s ability to turn draws into wins may prove pivotal in the Yellows’ fight for promotion, insists Mitch Duggan.

The Yellows are currently on a 13-game unbeaten run, but on eight occasions during that time, they have been forced to settle for a point.

Mark Beesley’s side have played out goalless draws against Matlock Town and Guiseley over the last two weeks, and Duggan believes that both positives and negatives can be taken from recent results.

“It’s pleasing to keep the unbeaten run going as it shows we’ve got good character and we’re tough to beat,” he said.

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“At this stage of the season, we need to be turning those draws into wins, especially at home. 

“In saying that, I’d rather be keeping clean sheets and maybe not scoring as much as we would like than leaking goals as it gives us something to build on.”

Duggan has started the last two matches at left-back, given the recent ankle injury which has kept regular starter Andy White out of the team. 

But with White now back in contention and Tom Warren also returning to the club earlier this month, Duggan knows the Yellows have options to choose from moving forward, despite impressing on a personal level during recent displays. 

“I’ve enjoyed the past few weeks because as a defender my job is to keep clean sheets and defend well,” he said. 

“At the same time, especially as a full-back, I would like to be doing more to help the team create and score more goals, but that’s a bonus to me.

“I’ve been playing left-back for the past few games as both of them have been carrying little knocks, but both of them are back fit now. Whitey and Tom are both very good players and bring different qualities to the team from left-back.

“Obviously the main difference is that both of them are natural left-footed players, so I think they help the team a lot more than I do going forward from the left-back position as it’s more fluid and natural for them on that side.”

Town will seek a return to winning ways on Saturday as they make the long trip to face Marske United.

The Seasiders are struggling at the wrong end of the table, but following a 2-1 victory at Nantwich Town in midweek, Duggan knows effort levels can be nothing less than 100% this weekend. 

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“Our target for every game is to pick up maximum points and this game is no different,” he said. 

“Especially at such an important stage of the season with the play-off battle so tight, we need to be doing everything we can to get three points, not just on Saturday but in the following 10 games after that.

“I think we can expect a tough game on Saturday. Of course, it’s a long away day and Marske are down the wrong end of the table so they’ll be scrapping for their lives.

“I expect them to do everything they can to beat us and we’ll be doing exactly the same.”