“It’s a game we’ve got to win.”

That’s the rallying cry of Tewkesbury Town manager James Coates ahead of their County League top-of-the-table showdown at home to Sharpness.

Second-placed Tewkesbury are on a 12-game winning run but they still trail the leaders by four points having played two games more.

Unbeaten Sharpness have won 12 of their 14 league games, most recently 2-1 at home to Stoke Gifford SGS United on Saturday.

Kieran Bennett was on the scoresheet at the weekend and he scored a hat-trick when Sharpness beat newly-promoted Tewkesbury 3-1 back in August.

That was when Tewkesbury were still adjusting to life in the new division after winning the Northern Senior League title and Coates admitted: “They were far better than us, no excuses. I think 3-1 flattered us, they could have scored any number of goals.”

Coates is expecting a much tighter game this time around. A hard-fought 2-1 win at high-flying Frampton United on Saturday kept them tucked in just behind the leaders and they would have been even closer had they not been deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player.

They’ve scored 49 goals in their 16 games and Coates continued: “The way we’re playing we’ll always create chances. We created chances against Sharpness earlier in the season and we’re a much better side now, we’re much more confident.

“They will be a good barometer to see where we are.”

Coates will be looking to his tried and trusted players as Tewkesbury try to end Sharpness’ stunning start to the campaign run but while Jamie Goodwin is their star man, he is certainly not the only one.

“Jamie is huge for us, his experience, his goals and assists, he’s our heartbeat, he always puts in a shift,” said Coates.

“But Scotty Jordan has been getting goals too, he’s so tough to play against, he’s a 6ft 4in beast of a bloke.

“I’m fortunate that I’ve got a good group of senior players to call on. Lorcan [Sheehan] is superb, his ability on the ball and his leadership, he drives the standards, he’s what the younger players should aspire to be like.

“And Luke Sutherland is another, he was captain of the reserves at the start of the season but he’s one of those who gives you their all.”

And Coates knows Tewkesbury will have to be at their best if they are to cut the deficit on Sharpness to a point.

“Look at their record and where they’re sitting in the league, credit where it is due.” he said.

“They’ve got the points on the board, they’ve got this annoying habit of winning quite a few games by the odd goal, that’s a sign of a good team and they are a team that are used to winning.

“But for us it’s about getting those three points, that’s all that matters.”