Letter From The Manager - Richard Kay

HEAD COACH

RICHARD KAY

A warm welcome to the players, staff and committee of tonight’s visitors, Pershore Town. Its yet another league game in what has been a frantic start.

It’s our 8th game in just over 4 weeks, where we have played 6 of the top 8 and 5 of the top 6 on current standings. Pershore find themselves currently in the top 2 at this early stage and are the overwhelming favourites for the league title come May. Its another big test but one we go into buzzing with us recording back-to-back wins in the league for the first time.

Back-to-back wins in the league is huge at any level. We are now climbing the league and can now relax into the season knowing we can more than hold our own. I’ve seen enough over the weeks to know that we can be very competitive week-in and week-out and pick up results.

Tonight’s game is the acid test but one we have worked hard to be involved in over the last 3 years. How the fixtures have worked out its been an incredibly tough start to life back at Step 6. Probably pound for pound the toughest schedule of any team in the division, however, we are finding our feet and 7 points out of the last 12 is a good return and good progress.

Saturday’s game was bonkers. Like my dad said after the game, you need a pacemaker watching us at the minute.

It’s even harder to watch from the sidelines at the best of times, but it’s been an emotional roller-coaster recently for everyone concerned with the club. We have effectively scored 9 goals in 30 minutes of football. 3-1 down with 25 to play against Moreton, we scored 5. Saturday we scored 3 in 10 minutes. Two of them coming in the 95th and 96th minutes in added time. It’s only what we deserved. It was a quality 90 minute away performance against a Kidlington Res team that had the luxury of bringing in a number of first team players.

The character and belief from management, supporters to the players was immense. We kept going and completely turned the game on its head. The celebrations for the winning goals were definitely in the top 5 moments since the re-launch of the club.

I’m starting to see really positive signs and progress. After a really dis-jointed preseason, and early part to the season, the players are looking much fitter and sharper with much better levels of match fitness. It’s been a frustrating process but one we inevitably had to suffer.

After tonight’s game, and from Saturday, barring injuries, we should be able to call on a settled squad and, as mentioned before, settle into a routine of mostly Saturday-Saturday matchdays and training. Training the last couple of weeks has had a huge impact on recent results.

It continues to be a huge process on and off the pitch but we have come so far in such a short space of time. As a team on the pitch we know what we are. We have done for years since the re-launch. We are humble and hardworking. I’m starting to see our DNA and core values again, which is all I demand and ask for week-in, week-out. As a manager as long as you have an honest team with a fighting spirit and

togetherness win, lose or draw, its all you can ask for.Enjoy the game and thank you for your continued support.

UTS

Rich Kay