We have started our league campaign with a win and a defeat from our first two games. Our win came courtesy of a 2-0 victory at home to Ashford Town, which should have been a wider margin had we taken the numerous chances we created. We did play very well on the day ,and with the addition of Jay May and Danny Dafter in the team, it gave us great physical presence and experience both in midfield and up front. Both players benefited from playing 90 minutes and are now back and playing in the first team which was the object of the exercise.
On bank holiday Monday we lost 3-1 at home to Herne Bay who took the opportunity to play the majority of their first team as they did not have a game over the weekend. Without any first team players ourselves, we fielded a much younger team than before, using five players from the Academy. It also gave me the opportunity to look at two promising trialists we have had training with us. Herne Bay were, as expected, physically much stronger and put in some heavy tackles, but I thought our guys coped very well and were unlucky not to get something out of the game as we hit both the bar and the post while trailing 2-1. However, we unfortunately conceded a late goal which finished our chances of a draw.
As I have explained before, I expect the reserve team to be stronger in the midweek games when we are using first team squad players to make sure all players are getting 90 minutes each week, and less experienced and more youthful on a Saturday which will be a time to look at further trialists as well as Academy players.
Our next game is on Monday 7th September when we are away to Erith and Belvedere and I hope some of you can come along and support the team as I am sure there will be players involved you will recognise.
Thank you for your continued support
Henno
