Men's football news
Written by: Jack
Following two wins in a row at the Dripping Pan, we head to Folkestone Invicta tomorrow in the first of two more big games, with Canvey Island at home on Tuesday.
Tony was happy with his side’s altered performance against Enfield and was happy for a similar display against Brightlingsea Regent.
“The game was ultimately one we look at for what it is and that’s three-points with a clean-sheet. It wasn’t the most entertaining game I’ve been involved in!
“Styles make fights as the saying goes and Brightlingsea didn’t want to have a fight. We got our two goals, created a few chances, Jayden Davis got down the by-line a few times, put some balls in the box.
“Outside of that, it was them putting 11 men behind the ball and hoping we would give them a chance.
“We come in 2-0 at half-time and it’s a hard one because this is how far we’ve come as a group, last year we played them and went 2-0 at half-time then ended up drawing 2-2.
“Early parts of the season we’ve done the same we have a lead and we continue to push to try and entertain, score more goals and get picked off.
“It’s the business end of the season so if teams don’t want to come out and try to break us down then why should we keep driving a game of football and give them opportunities.
“It’s two home games in a row we’ve seen that, both teams didn’t really want to come and attack us so we just kept the ball and probed.
“I still felt we should’ve done a little bit better in the final third, got in some good areas and I think we could have stayed in them pockets longer.
“But we spoke about that, rounded it off in training and I just think the front boys weren’t quite firing with all cylinders, we got in some good areas in the second-half but that final pass and final touch let us down.
“At the end of the day, it was this time last year we drew 2-2 with them, having been 2-0 up. On Tuesday they didn’t look like scoring, it was a comfortable night.
“Against Enfield we said ‘look we’ve got four games in the next 10 days, so whenever possible we need to manage it.
“For 90 minutes against Enfield and 45 against Brightlingsea we didn’t exert ourselves too much. We didn’t need to stretch ourselves.
“It leaves us a bit more fresh for the next two which are absolutely massive, and hard as well. They’re two teams I don’t think will sit back, not unless they’re trying to protect a league.”
Tony was very complimentary of Folkestone earlier in the season and for the game tomorrow, it’s no different.
“Folkestone away is as tough it gets, their form since the turn of the year, one of the form teams in the league.
“They’ve always had a really good side and they were always going to come good at some stage. If you look at my notes from the game previous I fully expected them to be there or thereabouts.
“I still believe that will be the case, they changed management and the two guys that have gone in there have done a really good job, a good side, their home record is exceptional.
“Bishop’s Stortford and Enfield have been there recently and both got beat 3-0. So that probably tells you the task in hand.
“It’s a massive test and the next two will probably shape our season, that’s how big it is. But we’re in good form, we’re in good spirits.”
As we approach an important final phase to the season, Tony knows his players are giving him everything to achieve the goals they set-out.
“The boy’s commitment has been brilliant, I can ask no more from them than what they’re giving me, we’ve got a game-plan, and we understand the playing surface won’t be to our liking.
“We also understand that if you want to get promotion, you have to find ways to win. Really big pitch, tricky, against a good side, makes for a tough game.
“I’ve always said I have huge belief in this squad, we’re in good spirits. The squad is looking a lot better, and I have some real selection headaches.
“It’s going to be a massive game and a huge win if we can get there. On our day we can beat anyone it’s just about putting our best foot forward and we give ourselves a great chance. Hopefully I’ll see as many Lewes fans there as possible!”