Management reflections on our cup win at the Pennypit.

Posted on Sunday, September 20th, 2009

Mike says –

“For the second week in a row Sam and I got the effort, commitment and good play we asked from the players for the whole 90 minutes of the game, not just in 20 minute spells. It’s a real shame we don’t have a competitive game next Saturday and a chance to keep that momentum going.

Prestonpans isn’t an easy place to go and Preston are a good side. We were lucky to take all three league points from the Pennypit last month and both sets of players and management were aware of that. That fact helped us and may have hindered Preston. We all knew we had something to prove and despite Stevie’s pre match promptings the Preston players will have taken to the pitch knowing they dominated possession for long spells in our previous meeting. We were really up for it and our boys made sure that didn’t happen again. Preston will come back stronger and I still think they will be in the mix come May.

Sam and I had two objectives before the game, one being trying to win the central midfield battle and the other to get the game squeezed further up the park especially when playing from our left.  We had already switched from a midfield 4 to a 5 against Coldstream and yesterday Alex, Gavin and Robbie gave us a central platform to play from. Kevin has shown his organisational skills since coming into the team at the back and I can’t wait for Danny’s 300th game if he puts in that much effort when he’s given the captains armband. Maybe we shouldn’t give it back to Stewart!!!

Anyway we still have things to work on. We went in 0-0 at half-time having been unable to turn our majority of possession into clear cut chances. It was beginning to look like it might just not be our day. Our first goal was fortunate and until our next official game Mike and Eric will be concentrating on crossing and finishing. 

Sundays are much more pleasant after a win.”

Mike