After briefly topping the Evo-stik NPL first division north, the Hillmen sit fifth at the moment — occupying the fourth and final play-off place — having won eight of their nine league games before the Farsley match.
“It was our first home defeat of the season. We’ve been doing exceptionally well at Surrey Street, and we’re not happy that we’ve lost our unbeaten record,” said the Glossop manager.
“We paid the price for a poor first-half display when we were well below par. But we improved after the break and created some very good chances, which was pleasing. If we’d taken them we would have won the game but I have to say that Farsley defended very well too.
“The first 45 minutes let us down and that’s something we’ve got to guard against this Saturday when we play the leaders, Scarborough. We’ve got to make sure it doesn’t happen again, kick on and get another run going. The Farsley game was a setback but we’ll see if we get a response on Saturday.
“We’ve got four games coming up against teams in and around the top five. When they’re done we’ll see where we’re at.”
Back in August, there were plenty of people questioning North End’s prospects. They claimed the failure to get through the play-offs had frustrated Willcock so much that he had recklessly torn apart the squad that had served him so well by winning the North West Counties League title and reaching the FA Vase final. It’s a charge the manager strongly refutes.
“I never set out to dismantle the squad. Players made their own decisions to move, retire, go higher or whatever. There were many reasons why they chose to leave, but that’s history now. We’re 20-plus games into the season with a brand new squad that is, over all, coming together nicely,” said Willcock.
“If I’m honest, things still aren’t as I would like them to be but it’s early days. I’ve been adding one or two new faces as I look for the right blend but things are largely okay.
“Even though we’ve got a new squad we still have a driving ambition to make the play-offs. We’ll see how the season pans out but I think it’s achievable. I’m looking forward to the challenge.
“What we’re looking for is continuity. It’s what we try to work on because all successful teams have a consistent line-up on a regular basis. We never stop stressing that if a player wants a shirt he’s has to earn it and then keep it.
“We had a bit of a stop-start situation at the beginning of the season but from the start of October we found some consistency and put a run of wins together which placed us in a good position. We’ve had a couple of setbacks but we’re at the right end of the table.
“It’s a very competitive division this year. There are ten clubs winning, losing and drawing. Things are chopping and changing all the time and lots of sides have games in hand so it’s hard to get a fair reflection. It just goes to show how competitive things are and it’s good that we’re among those sides.”