We will need to be flying from the first minute, says Woodstock Sports' assistant Chris Cooper

Thursday 27th November 2014

WOODSTOCK SPORTS’ assistant manager Chris Cooper says he is relatively happy with the club’s current league position.

The Sittingbourne-based club sit in eleventh-place in the Southern Counties East Football League table, having won six, drawn two and lost nine of their league games this season.

Last Saturday, a second half goal from Brett Ince sealed victory away to Fisher and last night’s home game against Rochester United was abandoned after 35 minutes through fog.

“Nearing the end of November and despite the fact that we have still not managed back-to-back wins as yet this season, we are relatively happy with our current league position,” said Cooper.

“We set ourselves targets during pre-season and in terms of points we are nearing on where we expected to be at this stage.

“We have picked up valuable points against some of the bigger teams in the league. However, we have failed to put in the performances that we would expect against the sides who are in and around us in the league.

“Last Saturday was a great result against a Fisher side who we always have a close game against.

“They were dangerous in the first half and in truth our goalie was unbelievable and kept us in the game, even after the sending off they were still impressive.

“Then in the second half we really dug in and bossed the game and ultimately we probably deserved the win.”

Reflecting on last night’s abandonment, Cooper added: “It was frustrating playing 35 minutes and getting called off for fog! We could have possibly carried on but in fairness it was a tough decision for the referee and both Rochester and us understood why he called it off.

“We did start the game sloppy but we were definitely settling in to it and from what I could see through the fog we looked dangerous each time we went forward.”

Woodstock Sports travel to Rede Court Road to tackle Pain & Glory Sports Kent Invicta League side Gravesham Borough on Saturday in the Kent Senior Trophy Second Round.

Gravesham Borough are sitting in sixth-place in the table, having won five, drawn four and lost five of their league games this term.

Cooper said: “Fleet Leisure will be another tough game. Over the years we have had some good games against them as we have both progressed through the leagues.

“Although they now play in the league below, we know they have the quality to compete with teams in our league so we are expecting them to be strong opposition.

“They have had some good results in their league and we know a few of the lads down there so we are sure they will be up for it.

“We will need to be flying from the first minute. It’s the time of the year when the weather becomes a factor and pitches become sticky so it becomes even more important to win the battle and earn the right to play.

“In the last round we grafted, players well and got what we deserved. If we match that performance we are hopeful we can get through to the next round.”

Visit Woodstock Sports’ website: www.woodstocksports.co.uk/club/158891/Home

Gravesham Borough v Woodstock Sports
Kent Senior Trophy Sponsored by Darenth Print & Design Second Round
Saturday 29^th November 2014
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Rede Court Road, Strood, Kent ME2 3TU