Check out the Gaffer’s thoughts as we welcome the players, staff and supporters of Cullompton Rangers to Bodieve Park on Saturday in the FA Vase Qualifying Round 1.
Overall it’s been a positive opening few weeks to the season.
We were handed a tough set of fixtures and to emerge with 9 points from those 5 games is satisfactory, if not exactly what we set out for.
Ahead of the season we spoke about reducing our goals conceded, we averaged 2.45 a game, way too many.
We’ve changed the way we set up a little and although it’s early days, we do look tighter in that department.
The Vase gives you a little breather from the league but we will be looking to get the win, achieve back to back victories for the first time this season, and try to build some momentum.
With so many games over such a short period of time, I’m really wary of how a strong squad can suddenly look paper thin, it’s happened in the last 2 seasons and we’ve seen our challenges on all fronts hit the buffers relatively early on.
I’ve tried to ensure that we are more robust depth wise this season and can withstand some setbacks.
The flip side to this, is that when almost everyone is fit as they are currently, squad selection can become difficult.
A few sleepless nights but I’d rather be worrying about accommodating 20 players than trying to get 11 as we were at times last campaign .
On those still absent. Bryn Sturdy is still in a cast following his wrist break and Kyle Flew, following a decent scan result is probably looking at another 4 weeks before rejoining us. Ty Cooke has had a little setback and will recover under a programme from Dan Reeve in a bid to get himself properly ready.
With our opponents playing in the East of the league I don’t know too much about them. I’m off to watch them at Holsworthy tonight (Wednesday) along with Dave Witts and hopefully we can put something together that will give us the best chance of progressing.
Someone pointed out that we haven’t got past the preliminary stages of the Vase in the last 10 years. That sounds like a nice challenge to me!!
Enjoy the game everyone
Rower
Celebrating the Life of John Dyke
John Dyke, signed for the Bridgers in 1954 before transferring to Padstow in 1966. He was presented with an inscribed clock by the Bridgers for making 500 appearances in his time with the club.
After getting married in 1969, he retired from football as he did not want to get injured after taking on a mortgage.
On Saturday afternoon, we celebrate his life with a minutes applause before the game.
Matchday Programme
Squads
