Our form is very much up and down at the moment, but results-wise, we are in a perfect run, and that’s what counts. On Tuesday night, other than our very often poor opening 10 minutes or so, I felt we had another very good performance and probably deserved to win by a much bigger margin.

Billingshurst was the better team in the opening exchanges without ever really threatening. After we scored, thanks to Kai Neil-Gray's header from a corner just before the 20-minute mark, we pretty much dominated the remainder of the half, playing some really nice football on a difficult surface. Our second goal also came from a corner, this time from Reece Tierney's head, and set plays proved to be a route to goal that caused our hosts a problem all night, with Tobe Uzor taking the responsibility of delivering from both sides. Having scored the first, Kai was unlucky not to score his second just before the half, and there were a number of other promising situations where another goal just eluded us.

I felt we had the game firmly in our grasp at the break, but we reminded everyone of the need to see off an expected head of steam from the hosts, but to be honest, that never really happened. The third goal on the hour from Kai settled the game, and for the next 15 minutes or so, it looked most likely that we would add to the lead, but some wayward finishing denied us. I made some changes late on to keep the team fresh and to involve all of the 16, as our run-in will see us need all of these players contributing if we are to achieve a playoff place. On reflection, that disrupted our control, and although we never looked in any real danger, we had become a little disjointed, and certainly, some of the defensive stability was gone. With the 90 minutes up, our target was to keep another clean sheet, but with the award of a late penalty, that objective went as Billingshurst converted for a late consolation.

Overall, I was extremely pleased with everyone on a night when, again, the team selection was changed with Ben, Asher, and Archie all missing. Right now, we have 20 players or more competing for a place in the 16 and then the 11and I know for them, this can be challenging, but if you want to be successful as a club, you have to have competition for places and to do everything you can to get a place. Nothing is a given and it does tell you a lot about your players in those difficult moments for them personally. At the moment, they are all dealing with it well, and long may it continue because I want as many choices as possible for every game that we have.

Gaffer Glynn Stephens
First Team Manager