WELCOME

Good afternoon and welcome to this Pitching In Southern League Division One Central match against FC Romania.

We extend a warm welcome to the visiting players, officials, and supporters of the Wolves. We hope you enjoy your afternoon with us, and have a safe trip home.

Both clubs have experienced significant upheavel since the previous match at the start of October. Our 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Wolves prompted the resignation of manager Ben Williams, and the subsequent changes the followed. FC Romania are now on their fourth managerial appointment of the season, with the departure of Terry Spillane and John Mackie who were in charge that evening followed by Francisco Ramos, who has in turn been replaced by last season’s manager/owner Ion Vintila.

The team that played last night also bears no resemblance to the one that lost 2-0 at home to Kempston Rovers last Sunday. Just two players remain Elliot Kettle, and the impressive forward who scored two goals that come five players on dual registration with National League South side Cheshunt, where Vintila was working as a coach earlier this season. In addition to that quintet, another 12 players have also joined – including three new goalkeepers! Also among their number was Alexandru Dubniuc, who you may remember played a couple of games for the Ducks in the midst of last season’s injury crisis.

The Wolves arrive on the back of eight league defeats in a row, but as the scoreline

Follow The Ducks Across Social Media

from our previous encounter demonstrates, they can be dangerous and shouldn’t be underestimated.

Two more home games on the way, with our Valentine’s Day encounter with AFC Dunstable next Tuesday, followed by next Saturday’s game against Hadley. Let’s hope we can earn a muchneeded win this afternoon to set those matches up.