Post-match reaction from first team coach Jason Brookes speaking after our 2-3 win over Willand Rovers yesterday:
First up, how do you feel after that result? It’s a big three points after being behind at half time, but the lads came back. How did you see that game?
Obviously, absolutely delighted with that today. Any time you pick up three points away from home is always really big at this level. Following on from Tuesday's win, and continuing a reaction from the opening day really, is excellent.
Today, to go 1-0 down and to go in at half-time 1-0 down, pretty much against a run of play, where we felt we were in control of the game, creating the better openings and then, you know as football does to you, we concede one chance, there’s a bit of a misorganisation at the back post maybe on our part, one player has played offside and the other is not quite in line, and they get a bit of a free header, it's frustrating.
But the reaction in the second half - I think it was seven minutes I looked at my watch, and we were back level after a brilliant reaction coming out at half time, and 10 minutes gone, we were 2-1 up, so it was superb from the boys coming out and that's what we're going to need to be able to do at times - keep calm, show a good reaction, and, you know, it's a mark of a really good team.
Matt Buse got the first goal, Matty Burrows got the second, and then Kyran Samadi popped up with the third late on, which proved to be vital in the end. How pleasing was it to see him on the score sheet, and also to see the goals being shared around between the lads as well?
Yes, it's definitely really pleasing. All three goals actually were taken really well, some good finishes, and it just shows that we've got good firepower across the squad and it is, like you say, very nice to know that we've got goals to come from different areas.
Busey’s strike was excellent from the edge of the box, Matty Burrows was an absolute threat all game as he has been since the start of the season really. And, it’s really pleasing for people like Kyran, because we need the whole squad this year and we have got good strength in depth. We've got good players that, at this present moment, maybe they have to be a bit more patient than others, but just showing that they're ready and they're sharp and coming on and having an impact like that is massive. So, it's really pleasing for him and the other lads that came off the bench today, because like you said, ultimately that goal was pivotal, and we defended our box excellently for the last 20-30 minutes and, I have to say, Will Spetch was outstanding today, marshalling that backline as well.
Back-to-back league wins after that opening day, just how important have these past few days been to pick up those couple of wins, and get some momentum heading into a big FA Cup game next weekend?
The last few days to week has been vitally important. The reaction, and the work that everyone's put in after, you know, a disappointing opening day, it's been really good and it's a credit to everyone. The only thing you can do in football sometimes when you lose is to react and go to the next one and work as hard as you can, and when you get your rewards from like we have now really with these back-to-back league wins, it does build momentum and it does hopefully start creating a bit of a habit, and we're improving all the time.
Now we'll be back in next week, working hard, looking towards the FA Cup game, and we'll be ready to go when the Winchester game comes on Saturday.