Staying up would be perfect tribute to Wanderers' number one fan Jay
Wanderers welcome Bugbrooke to Latimer Park tomorrow (Saturday) for Jay Brewer’s Memorial Match.
Jay was a Wanderers fan who died earlier this month after a lifelong battle with a brain tumour.
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Hide AdBrother Ryan will lead the team out for a match that brings together the bottom two sides in the ChromaSport & Trophies United Counties League Division One.
Wanderers are currently 11 points adrift at the bottom and Smith says victory this weekend will get Bugrbooke “looking over their shoulders.”
He added: “This is a massive game for the club, but I don’t just want us to win this game for Jay.
“Jay would want us to stay up – not just get three points on Saturday – and I’m going to tell the players: ‘Let’s stay up for Jay.’
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Hide Ad“It’s not impossible. The players are more than capable of doing it and losing Jay has given us extra reason to get off the bottom of the table.
“This isn’t a side that should be finishing bottom.”
Wanderers haven’t played since Boxing Day when a last-gasp penalty denied them a point at ON Chenecks.
That followed a shock 1-0 win at Potton United and Smith has since added to his squad.
Last week he brought in Chris Clarke from former club Rothwell Corinthians.
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Hide AdClarke last season bagged five goals as Corinthians snatched promotion to the Premier Division behind Northampton Spencer.
Smith said: “Chris is a really good signing for us.
“He was struggling to get a game at Rothwell.
“They have Jordan Henson, who’s one of the best strikers at this level, and have brought in Rob Foster as well.
“Chris wants to be playing games and I’m sure he will soon start banging in goals for us.”
The price of admission to the match is £3 and a framed picture of Jay will be delivered to the clubhouse before kick-off.
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Hide AdThere will be a balloon release, which Jay’s friends are invited to take part in, and there will be a collection for Burton Latimer Ex-Servicemen’s Association and the Luke Lester Fund.
Elsewhere in Division One this weekend, there is a local derby at Alfred Street as Irchester United take on third-placed Stewarts & Lloyds.
Raunds Town and Thrapston Town have home advantage against Oakham United and Bourne Town respectively.
Whitworth face a tough test as they make the short trip to take on second-placed ON Chenecks.
And Rushden & Higham United, who sit in fifth spot, are also on the road as they go to Lutterworth Athletic.