Good Afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen.
Firstly I would like to wish Bishop Auckland a warm welcome.
A week is long time in football and from the thrill of winning last Saturday on the opening day of season against Ryhope CW to the disappointment of losing midweek to Guisborough Town.
I thought Saturday’s game was a good tight affair, and I was very pleased with our organisation and discipline. We were made to work extremely hard for the three points, but overall I think we thoroughly deserved the win as we restricted Ryhope to only one real effort on target and had six or seven good opportunities ourselves.
There was also some great performances by the lads but it would be wrong to single out any individuals.
Wednesday night’s against Guisborough was the downside of the game we all love. I felt we were a little slow to start the game and looked a little tired at times but the game is one of fine margins and if we had taken the lead with the penalty then it becomes a different game. Unfortunately we didn’t and then conceded a very soft penalty ourselves which they converted. Again, the home side had quite bit of possession but didn’t really trouble our goal and we created four or five good chances in the first half which if one had gone in would of been justified, and we would have been level at halftime and that changes the aspect of game. Second half I thought we were pretty much in control of the game without doing enough in the final third to get ourselves back in the game, but got hit on the break with a decisive second goal which we struggled a little to come back from. the result goes to show if you not on top of your game and take chances at the right time you can get punished.
I do feel as team we still in the settling in period and more consistent performances will come over time when players have had more time together but they must fight from first minute to last to achieve this.
Today we turn attention to the FA Cup and its a great opportunity to enjoy the magic of the Cup as I have done in the past with today’s visitors Bishop. In my last year at club we had a tremendous run in the Cup and gave the fans plenty to cheer about and some good away days only to be beat by Stockport County in the fourth qualifying round. Hopefully we can replicate a run like that with RCA but must first we must get past a Bishop side that will no doubt want to do the same. So we must be on the front foot today from the start and give it all we have to secure a place in the next round.
Hopefully we have few players back from injury to help give us more options.
Thanks for your continued support.
Steve