ROSSLYN Park co-coach Scott Sneddon says tonight’s clash against neighbours Esher is all about pride and bragging rights.
Neither side have been a constant force in National League One this season, with hosts Park in eighth and visitors Esher in sixth.
Park ditched coach James Buckland last month after a run of four wins in 10 games – allowing Sneddon and Adam Holloway to step in his shoes until the end of the season.
Since the change, Park’s form has picked up and going into tonight’s game they boast back-to-back wins over Wharfedale and Coventry.
Meanwhile, Esher, who topped the table in the early weeks, bring a three-match unbeaten run to the Rock.
Sneddon said: “These Friday night games are always special, and it is always sets up the weekend nicely.
“I am hoping for a crowd of up to 2,000. It will be a good atmosphere, it always is on a Friday night and I surprised we don’t do more of it.
“Everyone gets down from work and it is a good way to start the weekend, but that can only be the case if you’ve won and have the bragging rights.”
He added: “Both clubs have had their ups and downs this season – neither club is where they want to be. They had a very good run at one point and were sitting right at the top.
“It has been a tough few months for us, but we’ve had a couple of good results going into the game, so hopefully we’ll be too strong for them.”
Sneddon is back in the action on the pitch as well after a long lay-off with a leg injury, and he pleased to be back kicking for real than just on the sidelines.
He said: “The one word to describe the past few months is frustrating, although it would not have been so bad had we been winning games.
“We have a few injury to key positions, Alex McKenzie at prop, me at 10 and Henry Robinson in full back – and may be the boys were not playing as well as they could through the spine of the team.
“It was frustrating watching and knowing what we could do better and not being able to do anything about it.”
He added: “As coaches we have inherited a very good squad of players – maybe they were just lacking a little bit of confidence.
“But I don’t think that can be aimed at one person, it is down to the players who have perhaps not been playing as well as they have been in past seasons.”
Kick-off at the Rock is 7.45pm, and the last time the teams met in November, Park ran out 20-17 winners.
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