Defender Mason O’Malley is aiming for a more fruitful trip down south this week seven days on from a disappointing first trip to Sutton United.
The Iron were on the wrong end of a 4-1 scoreline at Gander Green Lane and this time travel south of the capital to Crawley to face John Yems’ side currently in a comfortable 12th in the League Two standings.
First reflecting on last week’s result, he told iFollow Iron: “It was disappointing, we know that. It wasn't acceptable and it wasn’t good enough, and that was reflected by the scoreline. We need to be better than that, and that’s we’re working on. We’ve worked hard this week in training and we’re just looking to Saturday now.
“For 28 minutes, it was an even game, and we created our chances, but that spell after it killed us. We need to start being more consistent. It’s too up and down, and with the position we are in, we can’t afford to be like that.
“All we can do is manage ourselves. We can’t control any other team. It’s still in our hands to pick up points. Saturday’s game is in our control to get three points, so that’s what we’re looking at.”
The 20-year-old remained full of positivity going into the latest match and drew on the side’s 2-1 win against the Reds on home soil earlier in the season.
“There are definitely points available in this one,” he stated.
“We’re in for another long trip down there after last week, but we’re there for a win and nothing else.
“We look at it in a positive sense. We’ve already picked up three points against them this season, so there’s no reason why we can’t do the same.”
O’Malley has been edging back to fitness himself following a spell on the sidelines, starting two out of the last three matches. The third of those games, sandwiched between the two, also saw the return of fellow left-back Lewis Thompson, who was unfortunately stretchered off following a rash challenge on him in the Northampton game.
The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international reflected on both instances and maintained he must still work hard for the shirt, with Harry Lewis also recently deployed at left-back, as well as Ross Millen.
“I’m feeling fine, feeling good and ready to go,” he added.
“I’ve been managed in a way where I’m ready to fit back into a run of games. I didn’t want to get rushed back into it, resulting in another injury.
“It’s not nice to see, and it’s tough to take for Thommo. It’s really unfortunate. He helped me in that sense, having that competition, and we both pushed each other really well.
“If you aren’t playing good enough, the gaffer will rotate it still. I need to keep performing to keep my shirt. Just because Thommo is out doesn’t mean I’m going to play for the rest of the season.”
See much more from Mason O'Malley and Keith Hill on iFollow Iron.