Letter From The Manager - Richard Kay

richard kay

LETTER FROM THE MANAGER

I would firstly like to welcome the management, players and committee of Summertown Stars to BHP

for today’s Oxfordshire Premier League game. We hope you enjoy your matchday experience at BHP. It was great to see a good turnout for our first home game of the season. When we scored both goals the loud celebration from our supporters was very noticeable and something we have all missed, especially for a competitive fixture. Numbers have grown since last September and as always, thank you for your continued support and donations which go toward our First Team matchday costs. Last week was another tough game. In our first two league games we have played both of last season’s league cup finalists in Launton and Kennington, so to take six points, having not yet hit top gear, is pleasing. We played very well for forty-five minutes last week and played some great football. We created a hots of chances and really should have put the game out of sight in the first half. After Kennington scored a superb goal on the stroke of halftime it completely changed the momentum of the game. Credit to Kennington as they put us under pressure second half. Collectively we know we were way too passive second half. Its hard this early on in the season to put my finger on it but it probably is down to a lack of match sharpness at a competitive level that does take a bit of time to click into gear. With my players hat on it always took me 4-5 games to make the transition from preseason and find my rhythm. The players

Head Coach Richard Kay

Defender Adam Neale warms up in preparation for his home debut for Southam United.

In our first two league games we have played both of last season’s league cup finalists in Launton and Kennington, so to take six points, having not yet hit top gear, is pleasing. “

alongside matchdays are working tirelessly as a group at training and I am really starting to see fitness and sharpness levels go up a notch each week. No doubt today’s game will be another tough test with the priority in the coming weeks to put in 90 minute performances, not drop our intensity and be more ruthless in front of goal. We now approach a hectic period of league and cup games. October is always cup month and we look forward to entertaining Coventry Copeswood in the Telegraph Cup Last 16, which will be a midweek game at BHP (date TBC). We have also drawn Garsington in the President’s Cup, which is the OSL League Cup, on the 25th of October at BHP.

I hope you enjoy today’s game, and thank you for your continued support.

Rich