Peter Clarke: We’re full of belief

Warrington Town defender Peter Clarke has backed the squad to respond quickly to last weekend’s defeat at home to Gloucester City as they look to end their debut season in the National League North on a positive note.

Looking to bounce back from recent setbacks on home soil, the Yellows are back at Cantilever Park this Saturday against one of the division’s heavyweight teams in ex-Football League side Scunthorpe United, 

Ahead of that match, Clarke was quick to emphasise the need to look at the bigger picture of what has been accomplished over recent months. 

“It’s natural that we are going to lose games during the course of a season,” the 42-year-old said of recent form. 

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“Not many sides go a whole campaign without losing a game, and I think we’ve proved so far that we respond well when faced with adversity. 

“It’s testament to the character of the players and also the management team for instilling that belief in us. 

“There’s a really strong sense that we can have a successful end to the season, and the character of this group is right up there with the top teams I’ve played in throughout my career. 

“You look at where we are placed at the moment in the division which, for a newly-promoted side, is phenomenal. 

“We’ve given ourselves an opportunity to finish the season on a real high, and then we can push on to keep building something very special at this football club.”

Clarke was part of a Yellows side that produced a dogged performance in the reverse fixture against Scunthorpe at Glanford Park in October, falling to a narrow 1-0 defeat against a side that were in League 1 as recently as 2019.

While admitting there were mixed emotions following that result, the experienced centre-back insists the group can take positives from their display in Lincolnshire.

Clarke added: “No matter who the opposition is, we want to go out there and give it our best. When players do that, it gives the team the best opportunity to win the game. 

“Scunthorpe have been a big player in the Football League in years gone by, and are looked upon as one of the bigger teams in the division. 

“They’re well-placed at this moment in time, but when people think back to the reverse fixture, we acquitted ourselves really well and their goalkeeper was awarded Man of the Match, which tells its own story. 

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“We came away pleased and disappointed in equal measure – disappointed because we had nothing to show for our efforts, but pleased with the manner of our performance. 

“On another day, we could’ve come away with a point or more.”

You can read more from Peter Clarke in Saturday’s matchday programme, which will be available to purchase for just £2 at Cantilever Park.

Peter Clarke is proudly sponsored by Warrington Town Juniors (home).

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