Cheslyn Hay Bench Talk

Welcome to everyone connected with Cheslyn Hay as we approach the mid-point of the season with both our clubs in the lower reaches of the league. It is quite clearly an important game for both sides, however, a loss will not be a reason to develop 'suicidal tendencies' at this stage of the season.

Last Saturday saw us lose 1-0 here at Tally Ho to Coventry Sphinx in a closely fought encounter with neither side looking as if we were going to get on the score sheet. Injuries continue to have a huge impact upon our season and the woe continued when Lyndon Price had to leave the pitch after 20 minutes with a knee injury. As reported in my article last Saturday Lee Wharmby has a bad knee injury but unfortunately it has been found to be even worse than initially thought. He has ruptured his anterior cruciate and that is him out of football till next season. Lee, we wish you a full recovery with no complications following your op in a couple of weeks.

Last Saturday saw Coventry Sphinx put us under a fair bit of pressure in the first half without them creating a clear cut opportunity. The second period was more evenly contested with neither side looking likely to score until Paul Shaw was adjudged to have committed a foul by pushing an attacker at the far post. Sphinx tucked away the resultant penalty and we then applied a bit more pressure to them and were probably a little unlucky not to snatch a deserved equaliser.

Player availability and fitness means that I have no idea of my team at the time of writing this article on Thursday. Out of last weeks 14 Dave Harnett is missing because of work and Lyndon Price remains a fitness concern. Jamie Evans is available and Mickey Hart may be in the frame providing he can get off work. I am also awaiting news on Mark Langley who may be tied up with the fireman's strike.

Of the long term casualties Mick Mason has had a set back with his back injury and will be out of the frame for another couple of weeks although there is definitely better news on the Mark Bellingham front. He is making good progress and may be fit for involvement in the next 4-6 weeks. One thing I will not be doing is trying to rush him back or put pressure on him. Progress has to be made at Marks pace.

Next month sees us take on the league leaders Rugby Town down here at Tally Ho! Is it a good enough excuse to avoid the Xmas shopping? We hope that you enjoy today's game and look forward to seeing some of you down here next week.