Simon Weaver 24 Fixtures & Results

THE GAFFER SIMON WEAVER

It’s great to be back home at The EnviroVent once again after a game full of action on drama on Tuesday. Today’s game should be a great match against league leaders Leyton Orient.

Before we look ahead to today’s match in more detail I’d like to reflect on the great achievement of the lads to progress to the next round of the FA Cup after our win against Bradford City last Saturday. I was really pleased that we managed to get through to the second round because the lads deserved that with their performance.

I thought we were fantastic from the first whistle to the last in all areas of the pitch. In the opening minutes we kept the ball well and that confidence kept the hole crowd quiet. We wanted to use the big crowd at the match to our advantage and the way we kept the ball did that because and in turn it frustrated the home supporters. However, I was also pleased at how we defended when we didn’t have the ball. As a collective the concentration was superb. We did both sides of the game well, we didn’t let Bradford play, staying compact and when we did get possession we were looking to to play forward early but if the option wasn’t on to counterattack then we were prepared to be patient and keep the ball.

We were a bit unlucky that we weren’t able to put the game to bed sooner, we created a lot of good chances throughout the match but all that matters is that we are through to the next round.

The next round will be another tough test for us. Both Solihull Moors and Hartlepool are evenly matched sides, and with home advantage, we know it will be a battle. However, we will go there with confidence and hopefully we can make the third round once again.

We looked a good outfit during the match and I think now the aim is to sustain the levels in the league. I felt for the lads after Tuesday’s match, they put a lot in to that match. We dominated possession and to score three goals at home and not pick up three points is always a difficult one to take, but we have to move on quickly.

We have watched a lot of Leyton Orient in the build up to this one and they are a side who have a lot of quality all over the pitch. In sitting at the top of the table, they’ll come here full of confidence, but we have our game plan ready and if we execute it there is no reason why we can’t pick up another win.

We as a club want this to be the start of not just good performances but also getting a couple of victories under our belt as well. I’d also like to say a special mention to our supporters who were right behind us in the last three matches. With train strikes and travel disruption, they still turned out in their numbers and it’s made a massive difference. When you go to big stadiums and have a vocal away support behind you it is fantastic. They showed their appreciation for the players at the end of the match and we can’t thank them enough.

We want to build on that togetherness in the matches ahead and give our supporters home and away something to cheer about. Simon