August 18 2007

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to Catons Lane for today’s FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round fixture against Wootton Blue Cross.

We enjoyed an exciting run last season in the country’s most prestigious tournament defeating Cogenhoe Utd, Harlow Town and forcing Hitchin Town to a replay where we were defeated in a penalty shootout. It is hoped that we can repeat last season’s triumphs and go one better.

We kicked off our league campaign here last week against a much improved Great Yarmouth Town side and following a closely fought contest we came out 2-1 winners. The game itself was a typical beginning of season affair with both sides struggling to play free flowing football in the extremely hot conditions. Yarmouth worked hard and deserved their credit but we were delighted to score so late in the game and grab the points.

Wednesday’s fixture against Godmanchester Rovers was a disappointing follow up to the previous success. In complete contrast to the weather conditions of the weekend, the heavy rain made for slippery conditions and the game became much more of a battle than we should have allowed it to be. Leading 2-0 at the interval and looking more than comfortable we came out second half and were the victims of our own complacency. Our game plan went out of the window and we lost our shape and slowly lost our grip of the game as Goddy leveled the score late on with two long range efforts. It was very disappointing and frustrating to throw away two points in a game we had sown up by the break. We are fully aware that its early days in the league campaign and fitness will be sharpened as we complete more games in the next coming weeks, but that is no excuse for switching off at crucial times in a game. The goals we conceded were poor and we must put more pressure on the ball in all areas of the pitch when our opposition are in possession and make it hard for them to play.

On a positive note it was good to see Matt Danbury back in action as he made a second half substitute appearance and Brad Green who joined in with the pre match warm up. It is hoped to see both players involved a lot more in the next few weeks.

We had the highest attendance statistic in the division for Saturdays opening day fixtures and had another impressive turnout on Wednesday despite the appalling wet weather conditions so a big thank you to everyone once again.

Get behind the lads and lets hope for another FA Cup run success.

 Thank you, for your continued support.

 All the best. Tommy

Archive

11 August 2007

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