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Sport
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Football
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TADCASTER Albion must rely on other teams slipping up if they are to gain promotion this term.
That was the frank admission from temporary boss Neil Smallwood after seeing his team's NCE Premier Division ambitions dented by Gedling Town last week.
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Albion went down 2-1 to their Nottinghamshire visitors and remain sixth in the First Division, eight points adrift of table-topping Sutton Town.
The league leaders also have a game in hand over Taddy and, with Garforth and Carlton Town also waiting to pounce into pole position, Smallwood knows his promotion dreams have suffered a blow.
But he is refusing to concede defeat in the title race and vowed to battle on in a bid to be crowned champions come May.
"You never say never in this game.” We're far from finished," Smallwood pledged.
"But if you look at the likes of Sutton, Garforth and Carlton, you've got to be honest - the title's probably theirs to lose. We'd need them to slip up.
"But we've had a great season and will certainly carry on going.” "We've still got Garforth and Lincoln Moorlands to play.” “ Both of those teams are above us, so if we could win those games we'd make up a bit of ground.”
"And the rest of the teams we are left to play are below us in the league.” “So all we can do is focus on winning our matches and see what happens elsewhere. You never know, we could still do it."
Smallwood conceded that Taddy deserved to lose last week's clash with Gedling, but refused to fault his team's commitment and work rate.
The visitors took a 2-0 lead midway through the second half but Albion hit back through Matt Howgate with five minutes on the clock to set up a frantic final closing spell.
"We went for it in the final minutes but it wasn't to be," Smallwood said.
"The lads tried hard enough - the effort and spirit was there - we just didn't play particularly well, to be fair.” “ But these things happen in football and I'm not too disappointed.”
"We gave it a really good go and you’ve got to remember that Gedling are a decent side” “ It wasn't a massive disappointment by any means.” "If I'm honest, I thought their second goal was offside.” “And the first' was from a dubious free-kick.” “But Gedling probably just about deserved the points so I can't really complain."
After a three-game spell in temporary charge of Albion, Smallwood will hand The Park reins back over to boss Jim Collis in time for the next game against Staveley in one week's time.
The club are not in action tomorrow and Smallwood - whose record reads won one, drawn one and lost one - this week reflected on his time in the hotseat.
"It's been a great experience. I've really enjoyed it," he said. "There have been a few things I didn't expect, but we've got a good set of lads here who are great to work with.” “Having this experience will hopefully stand me in good stead for the future.”
"Jim will be back next weekend and I'm sure he'll be keen to get back to winning ways."
Wetherby News 18.02.05
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