Last Sunday’s first round Mike Hayward Cup tie at Blenheim Park saw you having to replace Craig Childs in goal with just moments to spare prior to kick-off. How confident were you in your ability to stand-in for Garvary’s number one for such a crucial fixture?
It's not the first time I have been called into action between the sticks for Garvary. I actually made my comeback last season in goal after a four month lay-off following a knee operation. We played Pro Max away (from home) and it’s a game that sticks out in my mind, Stewart Moore scored a brilliant hat trick in a 9-1 victory. I was unlucky to concede. I think it was Graham Miller (former Garvary Goldenbear) who gave away a penalty in the 90th minute, so then my services were called upon. I saved the penalty and the rebound, whatever, but my defence were just watching me in action and they followed up for a third free attempt and slotted it in. But yes, I was confident, when you have a defence with the likes of the skipper Dippy (a reference to captain Adam Moore's uniquely shaped head), Skins (David Skinner), Sparky (Mark Underwood) and Gangster Grim (a reference to Daniel Wilson), with me sweeping up the pieces your are going to feel confident; but we must defend as a team! I felt they didn’t test me much.
The situation allowed you to oversee proceedings from an unaccustomed vantage point between the sticks. Where do you believe Garvary lost that game?
We switched off for their first goal. Mooro (Adam Moore) cleared the ball from a cross and we had nine other players standing still while their goal-scorer had time to bring it down, have a cup of tea and pick a corner! But the game wasn’t lost from that one moment. I thought the boys worked hard and showed a fighting spirit. I just don’t think we created much. We tested the keeper maybe once or twice, one great effort from the vice vice Matt Reade and Chris (Reade) was unlucky not to score, by george I thought he had! They also have two full backs who carry a bit of timber, were not bad on the ball, and could move in a straight line; but I don’t feel we got at them enough. Had we tried to turn them inside out, they wouldn’t have lived with the pace of Chrisy (Chris Reade), (Paul) Dellow and Si (Simon Rowland). When we changed from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2, we had a bit more balance and space to move the ball. When we put Chris Reade out wide I thought he looked more dangerous. I thought it was wrong to bring Sammo (Jamie Salmon) on at left midfield! The game wasn’t over and I feel (that) had he been put in his more comfortable position we could have seen a different game. I think the Gaffer (Colin Ekers) may have to look at that one and put his hands up.
The defeat confirmed Garvary’s first round exit of the Mike Hayward Cup and also stretched a run of three back-to-back defeats at the hands of rivals Day One to four. What affect has that had on the dressing room?
None whatsoever. We know we can beat them. It was proven when we smashed them 5-0 in the Colin Tyler Cup final. That night we embarrassed them in front of their family, friends and fellow MCs; and they are still angry from that and use that as motivation in each game against us. But we can't live off that night. They have beaten us in the last four games, so maybe we can use that as motivation to beat them the next time we meet. We want to win the league this season, which I feel we can but we have to keep our cool, play our football, but also show a fighting spirit like players such as Darren Keane do week in-week out. We have got to show a bit of fight in each and every game and not go hiding like we did when the equalised in our first meeting (against Day One) earlier in the season. We should have beat them in that game, but certain people went missing.
In your position of assistant coach you will be taking charge of team affairs while Colin Ekers completes his rehabilitation programme in Amsterdam this weekend. What changes in attitude and team selection can we expect for Sunday’s County Cup first-round fixture against Castlemayne Athletic?
Well, I want us to play football. Make the ball do the work. We are a good football team. We don’t have to go from A to Z, sorry, I mean A to B every time. I like patient build-up play. Let's keep the ball, create holes, get them out of their comfort zone and start threading balls through. If the ball needs to go long, then I’m okay with that, but if God had wanted us to play football in the clouds, he'd have put grass up there. When we have the ball let's get wide and make the pitch big, when we don’t let’s make it hard for them to break us down and make every effort to get the ball back.
Where do you rate the County Cup in the order of priorities for the club this season?
Apparently ‘football would be boring if you won EVERY game’ (a reference to a statement made by Garvary boss Colin Ekers following the Premier Division defeat to Day One), but I totally disagree. I wanted to wipe the floor with every team this year. I want to win every game, so whether it’s a league game, County Cup, Colin Tyler Cup, a friendly, or a 5 a side competition; I want to win it all. No game takes priority with me. The more games we play, the more the lads play with each other, the better we become; and I would like to think that is the mentality throughout the squad, club and our fans.
The Goldenbears currently lie second in the Sceptre Premier Division table, three points behind leaders Day One, and are the division’s most prolific side having fired home an impressive 13 goals in four games so far this term. What are your feelings on your team’s start to the season?
We have made a good start. It’s our best start to a season. We have lost to one team, but have lost to them twice and that’s two times too many for me. I feel (that) we need to score from open play more. I think Matt Reade, who has played terrific and is up there in my average ratings this year, has scored all his goals from set pieces - I would like him to contribute a few more. But, we have to create for him, with players like Stewart Moore coming back into the fold this weekend, hopefully, he can slide Matty in now and then! This weekend I’m looking for Matt (Reade) to notch a couple, whether they are from open play or a set piece - I don’t really mind, but I want him shooting more. Defensively, I think we have worked hard, but I’m looking for my forwards to hold the ball up a little bit for two reasons. One - being able to relieve a bit of pressure from our defence, and two - to bring our midfielders into the game. I want to see players like Sammo (Jamie Salmon) and Stewart (Moore) joining in the attack.
You mentioned Stewart Moore. He has informed me that he will be available for selection this week. Do you expect the midfielder to be fit enough to start the game? And what do you expect him to bring to the side for the remainder of the season?
Yeah, Stewart is available. I was unfortunate enough to be involved in the game where he picked up his injury (Leigh Ramblers V Great Wakering) and I feel that the player from my team made the horrendous tackle on him because of his influence in that game. I would like to see him coming to collect the ball from his dippy brother (Adam Moore), who I feel at times does go long too often. Players like Stewart when they are on the ball they’re so comfortable and can see things that others cant, and that’s what I’m looking for. I will give him a good run out, maybe 50-60 minutes, as it is early days but I feel that will be enough (time) for the Latino lad!
Thanks for your time Marc and enjoy your weekend in charge.
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