WHYTELEAFE boss John Fowler says every game is a cup final for his side now as they look to claim the final play-off spot in Ryman League Division One South.
Leafe boosted their chances of making the play-offs with an emphatic 6-0 win away at East Grinstead Town on Tuesday night, moving to within two points of fifth-placed Worthing with a game in hand.
And with three of the four play-off spots looking all but assured for Faversham Town, Folkestone Invicta and Merstham, Fowler admitted that the win was an important one for his side.
"I think it was a result that we needed," he said.
"Our recent form hasn't been the best, particularly when you look at the 5-1 defeat against Merstham.
"So getting back to winning ways was important for us and also to get out of the 40s in terms of points, because we have been stuck there for a while.
"But we are back in the mix now and we just have to try and keep the pressure on the other teams and hopefully we can get that fifth place."
Leafe have a good run of fixtures coming up, including games against local rivals Redhill, Hythe Town, Hastings United and Corinthian-Casuals, who are all struggling towards the foot of the table.
Fowler's men also have to play league leaders Burgess Hill Town home and away in their final 14 games, but the Leafe boss says his side are ready for the run-in.
"We have got Burgess Hill to play twice, but hopefully we can be the first team to beat them, and we have got some winnable games coming up if we apply ourselves correctly," he said.
"It was a good Saturday for us without playing this week. Although our game was called off, Whitstable and Worthing both lost and that is why it was so important for us to get the win [against East Grinstead].
"I did think it would be tighter than it was, but we put them to the sword and to win 6-0 away from home, I will take that.
"It is good for our goal difference and good for the confidence of the team.
"I wouldn't say we were favourites now for the play-off place, we have set ourselves up nicely and got ourselves right back in the mix.
"Every game now will be a cup final for us and we have to just take each game as it comes."
