'No excuses and no moping!' Boston United prepare to face AFC Telford after two weeks of isolation

There will be ‘no excuses and no moping’ as Boston United prepare to face AFC Telford United after a frustrating fortnight of positive COVID-19 tests and self isolation.

After two weeks of inactivity, Craig Elliott is hoping his squad can squeeze in a training session ahead of Saturday's clash.

The Pilgrims players and staff were forced to stay home for a fortnight following positive tests in the camp, which also saw the squad withdraw from the FA Cup and postpone their scheduled league contest against Guiseley.Last Saturday’s National League North trip to Bradford Park Avenue was also put on hold as the Yorkshire club also had COVID cases.

“I have said to the players, we have to prepare ourselves for things we’ve never experienced before,” Elliott said.

“I messaged them this week explaining that this was exactly what I was talking about, there’ll be things out of our control and what we have got to do is not use things as excuses.

“This last fortnight, players have been sat at home doing nothing and it’s going to be difficult coming back and hitting the ground running again.

“We have to. There’s no moping around or using this as an excuse, we have to get on with it.”

Elliott says the mood in the camp has remained good since players and staff were asked to isolate following a positive test after the 4-0 National League North victory at Leamington..

“It’s all pretty positive. I spoke to ever player, I phoned them all up (on Friday) and obviously some were still feeling a little unwell.

“I’m making sure they’re alright and the other lads are feeling well as well.”

United kicked off their season with a 4-2 FA Cup win over AFC Mansfield and that success at Leamington and now hope they can pick up where they left off, although match fitness may prove a problem.

“You want to get on and carry on the form but its difficult to keep that motivation when you can’t do anything,” Elliott confessed.

“But now fixtures have been re-arranged and you can see a clear path and we can start training again we can get our head on it a bit more more.”

Elliott is also counting on his senior players to help keep the youngster squad focussed.

He added: “I spoke to a lot of leaders in the team.

"These players, I said to them, we’ve just got to keep sending the positive messages into the camp, saying there’s no time to dwell on things and overthinking things. Football stops for nobody. That’s what we’ve got to do, move forwards.”

MORE PILGRIMS: Hawkridge sets sights on 'big season'MORE PILGRIMS: Pilgrims will play 'anywhere, anyhow' - ElliottMORE PILGRIMS: Big clubs must look after non-league - ex-Pilgrim Jamie McGuire