Feckenham Bench Talk

Welcome to everyone from Feckenham for this third game of the season. Lets all hope that it will be a little cooler than last Saturday.

Our 1-1 draw on Tuesday night with Alvechurch was a hard fought encounter, which on balance was probably a fair result. Alvechurch are a much changed and improved side from that of last season and I fully expect them to be up at the top end of the league this season if they continue to show the level of performance that they showed against us.

Whilst it was a game of relatively few clear-cut opportunities, it was nonetheless an enjoyable contest between two teams who were closely matched. Alvechurch may have shown slightly more ability on the ball but we definitely edged it in the commitment stakes.

After a goal less first half Alvechurch took the lead 10 minutes into the second period with a low shot drilled across Darren Carmell into the far corner of the net as we failed to close down quickly enough upon a ball breaking towards the edge of the box. Fifteen minutes later we were back in the game when Lee Wharmby hunted down their left back and robbed him of the ball before pulling the ball back to Kevin Usher on the edge of the box whose exquisite finish found the bottom corner.

Whilst we all know that we have a fair distance to go to achieve our desired level of performance, it has been pleasing to see that we have come from a goal down on three occasions in these first two matches and demonstrated a hunger to play for each other.

With so many new faces at the club it is clearly going to take us a little while to settle down. What I am certain of is, is that the arrival of Mark Fogarty to aid myself and Tony Workman, will have a beneficial impact upon the club with his coaching skills, enthusiasm and desire to win. The players are already responding and things will only get better.

Feckenham will no doubt be cock-a-hoop following their 6-1 success against Southam and we will clearly have to be up for it from the off if we are to maintain our decent start to the season. Paul Webb, Gavin Smith, Chris Adams and Dave Blake are all unavailable today from Tuesday's team. Also out are the injured Andy Reece, Mike Mason, Carl Hancox and Mark Langley whilst Neil Hornby is still on holiday. I am also waiting to hear whether Jamie Evans and Darren Wilkinson are available following their return from sunny climes.

We may have another 'new kid on the block' with the imminent arrival of Kevin Astin who has recently joined the force and should be with us today providing his transfer from Bolehall Swifts goes through on time. Kevin has apparently played for Hinckley Athletic and Blakenhall in the past. With all the injuries and unavailability, don't be surprised to see some other new faces in the set-up today. Enjoy the game and get yourselves down here on Tuesday night for the game with Meir KA.