THE CHAIRMAN

Good evening everybody and welcome to our penultimate game at Addison Road. We welcome Godmanchester Rovers for our United Counties Premier Division fixture.

Today is likely to be another even contest with both sides looking for the 3 points which will move them a step closer to ensuring they retain their position in Step 5. It seems a long time ago since we travelled to Godmanchester and won 3-0 thanks to a hattrick for Elijah Coe. It remains our only away league win of the season. Despite this fact, the effort and commitment shown by Sharm, his staff and the players has been excellent on what it a long season

The squad has been affected by injuries and availabilityand so its pleasing that we hopefullysee today the return to action of Watts, Watkins, Coombes and Smith available.With just seven games to go we wish Sharm and the squad well.

We hope you all enjoy your visit to Addison Road and have a safe journey home.

Bestwishes

Richard Meadows Chairman

Good afternoon & welcome back to our penultimate home game of the season against Godmanchester Rovers who we played in our opening game of the season back in August. Based on league form there is nothing between the two sides so as normal it will b e a very close game. In the reverse fixture we ran out 3.1 winners in a very tight game in which we took our chances well.

It’s been a really testing few weeks for myself & the coaching team where we have suffered injuries to key players and we hav e not been able to name a settled team. We have also been carrying players that have played with knocks which as you will know in this league is far from ideal. Coombes, Watkin & Watts have been out through injuries which will always have an effect on our phys ical strength, quality and balance within the team. Tom Smith has also been missing through work commitments. Alongside this Callum Convey has returned from a long term injury and we’ve had no choice but to chuck him straight back in the mix only 50% fit. H is attitude has been first class and is now getting back up to full fitness. I’m not one for looking at stats however if you look at our goals assists Callum is right up there, he will be important for remaining 7 games. Watkin also returns to the squad tomorrow which is a massive plus and give the boys a huge lift. Watts & Coombes are also very close and desperate to be involved again, there is a chance they will be in contention for today. I’m not making excuses but when you have key players missing at this level with the bud get we are on it will always make it more difficult.

Our last home game against Rothwell was another very close encounter, first half we were much the better side creating 3 clear cut chances that we failed to convert. They scored from a very questionable free-kick which we should have dealt with better. Second half was a more even affair as we looked very leggy as the game progressed however we dug in really well and scored a great goal i n which Swanny as he did all night hit a ball in a great area to Coombes who put a lovely ball into Howards to convert. Since moving Swanny back to full back he has been excellent, he has shown real patience and desire this season and now getting his rewards.

Last Wednesday we travelled to Oxford City in the Semi Final of the Senior Cup, with a number of key players missing and Coombes pulling up in the warm-up so it was always going to be difficult night against very good team. It baffles me how that can be classed as a neutral venue at the hosts 4G pitch? The meaning of “Neutral” is there is no advantage to any of the teams… On positive note lets not take away what a fantastic achievement it was to get to the semi-final, the obvious highlight with the performance away at Banbury.

With the Histon game postponed we travelled to Cogenhoe Tues night in awful conditions, it was always going to be a game of 2 halves, we decided to go with the wind first half and although we dominated, we failed to convert a number of chances. Second half wa s always going to be battle against the wind however I thought we still controlled the game. Yet again we put a number great balls in the box that we didn’t get on the end of. Their only real chance came from a corner where we have switched off and it eventually cost us.

It’s all about the next game & we move straight on today where will do everything we can to get 3 points, the squad is looking stronger and the boys are desperate to turn our performances into wins, keep the flags flying high & get behind us!