Tooting & Mitcham United are in a period of rebuilding following relegation from the Isthmian League on goal difference last year and the subsequent departure of manager Frank Wilson.
Chairman Steve Adkins took the bold decision to appoint Cornelius Nwadialor, 37, and Ashley Bosah, 31, as joint managers, who spent the two previous years managing the under 18s and under 23s at the club.
The Terrors visit Ware tomorrow in what will be a vital fixture. A defeat would see their opponents overtake them in the table, and likely see the gap to the all important fifth place widened.
“I think both teams will go for it, Ware are in a situation where they’ve come from nowhere and now they’re on the verge of the play-offs,” said Nwadialor.
“They lost their previous game so they’ll be up for it, they’re at home and there’s a little bit of animosity from the previous game so it’s going to be a real battle.”
Tooting & Mitcham have lost just one in 16 in all competitions. They boast the second best away record in the league and last lost a game at the beginning of January against run-away league leaders Hayes & Yeading United.
Their form has taken them to the Surrey Cup semi-final, and after beating Crystal Palace under 23s on Tuesday they fancy their chances against anyone.
“We are confident, talking to the players after the Palace game – they looked more pumped than I’ve ever seen them.
“For them to win, that was a bonus and they now think they can win most of their games.”
After a difficult start to the league campaign with 1 win in 6 games, their fortunes have changed. A promising run of form has taken them to one place and three points off a play-off place, and Nwadialor is happy with how his players have performed so far this season.
He added: “If the season ended now we’d be proud, we just wanted to finish as high as we could.
“Finishing in the play-offs would be a successful season and if we managed to go up that would just be the cherry on the top.”
A win could push Nwadialor’s team into the play-off places, and with the prospect of a cup win and promotion still on the cards, there is plenty to be positive about in this corner of south west London.
