Captains Column

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

Whitton United are a very strong side and always provide a stern test for any side within the divison. Fixtures between the two sides over the past few seasons have been entertaining encounters and today promises to be no exception.

Over recent weeks our form has been indifferent and it is important for us to get back on track and gather as many points as possible as we look to hang on to the coat tails of the leading pack.

We have enjoyed success in the South Midlands Cup with a very pleasing victory over higher league opposition against Oxhey Jets a few weeks ago. We are the current holders and it would be a great achievement to defend our trophy. We have a difficult fixture against Hoddesdon Town in the next round and if successful the chance of a mouth-watering encounter against old enemies Stansted FC awaits!

With regards to our league form we have suffered a couple of defeats recently in games that we should have undoubtedly achieved points. After the disapointment of losing away at Clacton at the end of February, no thanks to some atrocious decisions from the officials on the day, the boys bounced back well and defeated a dogged Downham Town side and Oxhey Jets in the cup. The week that followed saw us without a game and the prospect of a long trip up to Fakenham Town last Saturday was our return to action. For those supporters who made the journey, the game will no doubt have provided a frustrating afternoon. We dominated the game from start to finish but our inability to convert the chances we created proved our downfall. A combination of good goal keeping, goal line clearances and the cross bar saw us unable to score and make use of our dominance. It is important that as a team we begin to make use of the chances we create and must start using our dominance effectively. As the season draws to a close there are still plenty of points to play for and it is important that we find a good run of form to maintain a promotion challenge ourselves. We have a number of the top sides to play so the possibility of upsetting the from book remains.

On the injury front may I just say how pleasing it is to see Sean Anderson back in action. Sean has been out for a few months but in recent weeks since his return he has put in some accomplished performances and added that bit of experience that I feel we have missed throughout the season. Sean is a wholehearted competitor and is a good character amongst the squad. Brad Green is also closing in on a return to action following a knee operation and once available will definitely add to our attacking options as he is always good for a goals return. On a personal note, it has been a very frustrating time for myself recently as I am attempting to shake off a persistent hamstring problem. I have been trying to play every other week as not to cause too much damage to the muscle. Following advice from the doctor and physio its felt that I shouldn’t be playing for a few more weeks but what do these so called professionals know I ask myself????  I`ll be putting the mighty Bloods shirt on over the Easter weekend!!

May I wish you all the best for Easter and enjoy the time off you have.

Get behind the lads and create a good support that makes you our twelfth man. 

Thanks for your continued support

All the best

 Tommy

02 December 2007

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