DICKIE ORD wants Durham City to round off 2011 with back-to-back wins after finally putting an end to their five-game losing streak over Christmas.
City’s Boxing Day win at Harrogate Railway was their first success for more than a month and now they are looking to build on that as 15th -placed Clitheroe visit New Ferens Park this lunchtime.
Former Sunderland defender Ord said: “Ending that losing streak and picking up our first win since November has got a monkey off our back.
“We really needed to break the cycle of defeats and we have managed to do that.
“We played well against Harrogate and what impressed me was the fact we made sure we did not let them back into the match.
“The clean sheet was also very welcome because we have not managed one of those since the beginning of October!
“One win on its own is not enough. We play Clitheroe today and then next-to-bottom Ossett Albion tomorrow.
“If we could win all three games over the holiday period it would be a fantastic Christmas and New Year for us.
“We have not been getting results of late but we have still been playing well and let’s hope winning at Harrogate will prove to be the turning point.
“We are 11th in the league but it would only take two or three wins for us to climb the table and be back up there competing for a place in the top six again.”
Ord is hoping the fact neither Newcastle nor Sunderland are in action this afternoon will attract a larger crowd than normal to New Ferens Park.
He added: “Newcastle played last night and Sunderland do not play until tomorrow, so it would be fantastic if we had extra bodies through the turnstiles today.
“The game kicks off at 1.00, so it will be finished in plenty of time for people to start getting ready to welcome in the New Year.”
Durham will be without nine-goal leading scorer David Dowson, who is unavailable, but skipper Ross Wilkinson could return to central defence after a fortnight’s lay-off due to a gashed head.
Ord said: “David will be a big loss for us because he is our top scorer and he has been in great form this season.
“However, we have a squad of players and it will give someone else a chance to come in.
“Ross’ injury has kept him out for two weeks but we will assess him before the match and decide whether he is able to play.
“He is a big player for us and it would be a massive boost if he can return in central defence.”
Frontman Amar Purewal is still sidelined with a knee injury, but otherwise Durham have a clean bill of health.
