1874 NORTHWICH must not take risks in defence if they want to extend a winning run to three matches when they play Winsford on Monday.

Assistant manager Paul Bowyer told the Guardian that a clean sheet in last week’s victory at Runcorn Town had boosted confidence in his side’s backline.

“We want to build on that,” he said.

“We’ve conceded too many goals this season and, while there is an explanation for that, we’ve talked about improving that part of our game.

“The lads have been told not to take chances when clearing because too often we’ve given the ball away when it was avoidable.”

A shut-out last Monday was only their sixth in 25 North West Counties League fixtures this term.

That figure was almost twice as high at the same stage last year.

However back-to-back Premier Division victories, either side of a penalty shoot-out defeat at Ashton Athletic in the Men United Cup, have given 1874 hope they can close a gap to teams above them in the table.

They start a duel with their landlords five points adrift of second-placed Atherton Collieries.

Bowyer said: “Our concern is building some momentum, something that’s been impossible to do in the past couple of months because there have been so many postponements.

“We’ve played well in the past couple of games, and it was great to put behind us the disappointment of losing in the cup [by beating Runcorn].

“Games will follow thick and fast now, and we’ll be striving to put a run together.”

1874 have already beaten Blues this season, and emphatically, in a cup clash.

The teams shared victories in league meetings during the previous campaign.

“We’re just as desperate to get one over on them as they are to us,” said Bowyer, who has been standing-in for Ian Street during his enforced absence from the touchline.

“It’s a very different Winsford team now to the one we’d have faced on Boxing Day.

“They’ve changed a lot of players, and have put a decent run of results together.

“It’s hard to predict too much what to expect from them, so we’ll put our focus on what we do.

“If we can the performances we’ve put in the past two games, then we’ve a great chance of winning.”

Leading scorer Matthew Beadle (groin) is a doubt, while Danny Thomas (work) is unavailable.

Louis James has recovered from illness, and could return.

Kick off at Barton Stadium is 7.45pm.