Whitchurch Alport face back-to-back home matches this coming week and manager, Luke Goddard, is hoping his team can take full advantage of returning to home soil for the first time in over a month.

The Yockings Park men returned to winning ways in midweek after two successive losses which threatened to derail their early-season momentum.

And it came on an artificial surface which preserved Goddard’s 100 per cent record with eight straight wins since his appointment three years ago.

Alport had lost at Bootle and again at Droitwich Spa in the FA Vase and another setback at Avro would surely have affected confidence.

But the Reds dug deep to bring all three points back to Shropshire after a 2–1 win in Oldham.

The Alport chief was relieved to get back on track.

“We got the response we wanted last Wednesday against Avro and deservedly got all three points in what was a difficult game," he said.

"After assessing the defeats at Bootle and Droitwich, I felt it was important not to overthink those disappointments but just remind the group of our identity and the bare minimum we expect from every player, in every game.

"Those core basics returned and were pivotal in getting a positive result for us.”

Last season Alport struggled against teams occupying lowly positions in the league and Goddard will be warning his team to stay focused.

“We play Squires Gate on Saturday who are scrapping at the wrong end of the table but they defeated Northwich Victoria last week so that is enough for us to take them very seriously.

"Irlam will present another really tough test for mus as they are one of the clubs eyeing a top three finish.

"They are an established Premier division side having done well since getting promoted in 2016 but we need to have some momentum going into that match.

As we always do, we will get the scout reports done and train this week specifically for these next two games to hopefully gain maximum points heading into November.”

Alport are likely to have a fully fit squad available although midfielder Dan Skelton might be the only absentee.

Skelton scored the first goal at Avro but had to be withdrawn through injury.

Goddard will assess his fitness after training this week but hinted that squad rotation may well be kept to a minimum.

“I think now we are at this stage of the season I will look to settle the side down in terms of changes, just to try and help us get some consistency,” said the 28-year-old.

“We are coming into the winter months and we will have to adapt to the pitches worsening to be able to grind out wins.

"We have to accept it won’t always be perfect and when we are not at our best, it’s essential we stick together on the field and be hard to beat until we can get some opportunities to punish opponents.”

The Reds boss was disappointed that his team haven’t been able to build on the feelgood factor that the recent Shropshire Senior Cup win at Shrewsbury.

“We took around 250 fans there and we could have done with a home game soon after with supporters on an obvious high.

"It hasn’t worked out that way but I can’t stress enough to the people of Whitchurch how much we need their support.

"The lads will have to accept that we are a team that everybody wants to take points from, and after a great start with seven wins and a draw from our opening nine matches, that means we are a prized scalp.

"We are going to need to learn how to manage games professionally week in, week out, if we want to find a winning formula to be considered as genuine promotion contenders.

"I believe that these next two matches will tell me a lot about the group.

"It’s a fantastic time to be a part of this football club for everyone involved so we really are looking forward to this weekend, and I know we won’t let the supporters down."