Hackett determined to keep momentum going after Glassboys bag play-off place

The Glassboys bagged a top-five finish thanks to Monday's 2-0 win at Rushall Olympic.

A Luke Benbow penalty and an Ethan Jones strike saw Stour back up last Saturday's fine 4-1 success at home to Frickley Athletic to guaranteed themselves a place in the end-of-season shake-up.

However, it is still possible for Hackett's men to finish anywhere from second to fifth place with Saturday's final league game with fellow play-off contenders Nantwich still to come (3pm kick-off).

The manager said: "Our aim this season was to improve on last season's sixth-place finish and we have done that now. We have also had to added bonus of making history with another FA Cup run.

"But there is still a lot of football to be played and our goal now is to try and finish as high as we can and get a home draw in the play-offs if possible.

"The Nantwich game would be a big game even if that was already guaranteed because it's important you go into the play-offs with momentum behind you."

Hackett thinks his players are looking fresher than at this stage last season as they continue their promotion quest.

He added: "We have had one of the toughest run-ins but are unbeaten in five and have won the last three.

"The performance against Rushall was also very professional and we more than deserved the win.

"I think we're actually a lot fresher now that we were last season. We have had a lot of injuries but I think the players have played less games, which all bodes well."

Defender Dan Preston could return from a chest injury to feature against Nantwich. A win on Saturday would be enough to give the Glassboys a home semi-final.

A home semi-final would be played on either Monday, April 24 or Tuesday, April 25. If they were to be away the game would be held on the 25th.

The play-off final will take place on Saturday, April 29 at the home ground of whichever team finished higher in the table.