Captains Column

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to Catons Lane for this afternoons Ridgeons League Division 1 fixture against fellow promotion chasing rivals Diss Town.

With only two games remaining in this domestic season it goes without saying that we must obtain maximum points if we are to give ourselves a chance of clinching promotion.

We currently occupy fourth spot and are level on points with Hadleigh who have a better goal difference than us but with difficult fixtures all round there promises to be plenty of drama before the promotion race is decided.

Our visitors today are one of the teams involved in the chasing pack so it puts an added incentive on the game for both sides. Quite simply today’s game is massive.

With the excitement of how the league is shaping up we also have the mouth watering South Midlands Floodlit Cup semi-final match against Stansted to look forward to, so its certainly an exciting end to what has been an eventful campaign.

Over recent weeks we have been involved in some tough fixtures against teams from the top half of the table and we always knew we were in for a difficult finish. After defeating Hadleigh 1-0 we welcomed highflying Gorleston to Catons Lane looking for a result to keep our Norfolk visitors quiet after comments made on their website regarding three comfortable points for them.

A strong team performance and some entertaining football being played it was very pleasing to ease to a 3-0 win which gave us a real chance to be amongst the chasing teams. A battling encounter against Whitton Utd saw us lose ground following a 2-0 defeat in a game we were in control of in the first half. The difference on the night was our visitors took their chances— so credit to them.

As is always the case with this late stage of the season, injuries were causing a bit of an effect to the team and we travelled to Debenham last Saturday with a few youngsters drafted in who were looking to make the most of their opportunity.  A change of team selection didn’t seem to phase us at all and a very accomplished performance saw us winning 2-0.  Debenham possess a strong front line which has brought them success but our defence stood firm as it has done all season and it was even more pleasing to keep a clean sheet and return home with the three points.  Despite a strong team performance all round it was great to see youngsters Joe Murphy and James Solkhon involved and contributing strongly.

I feel we have assembled a strong squad throughout and with a few faces returning back to match action ready for next season we certainly are building for a successful future.

Off the field the club is progressing strongly. It is clear to see the changes and improvements that have been made to the ground and I feel we have one of the better facilities in the division. Our hospitality here is first class and once again this season we have maintained good affiliations with other teams and welcomed praise we have received from clubs who look forward to their time here at the Lane.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those persons who have helped behind the scenes and for all the hard work and commitment you have shown this year. A club is only as good as the people who own and help to run it and regarding that we are unrivalled.

I would also like to thank all those of you who have continued to support us this season. As a player the encouragement we receive from our supporters gives us extra motivation and it’s a joy to play in front of. Catons Lane is a difficult place to come to as we are constantly told by opposition players and supporters, and that can gives us an edge before a ball has even been kicked.

Once again we have retained the accolade of being the best supported team in the division which is very pleasing indeed. An average of  172 is once again a great achievement. Thanks again to you all.

Following on from our successes last season it was always going to be a challenge to match and better what we achieved last time round but I feel we have once again given a good account of ourselves both on and off the field. On the playing side of things it has been a real positive to see a number of lads step up from playing youth football a couple of seasons ago, to competing strongly for first team playing opportunities.

 Those players who have appeared have been able to sample the pace Ridgeons League football is played at and gained valuable experience for themselves and for the team. This will undoubtedly hold us in good stead for future campaigns. We are a reasonably young side who are unquestionably developing all the time and the future of football standards here at the club looks very promising indeed.

Thanks for your continued support.

Tommy

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12 April 2008

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