Guyliano Mpungi scored the only goal of the game with a great finish in a tight F.A. Vase encounter with Sussex based Loxwood F.C.
After the game, assistant manager Owen Price spoke of his mixed emotions about the game. He said “We made hard work of it. It was probably the worst we’ve played since we’ve (the management team) been here.
“They didn’t do what we’d asked for most of the game but it was the worst we’ve played and we won. The difference is, I think, the positive is we won and we’re still upset with the way we played so the mentality is changing, and that’s what we needed to change.”
Marlon Patterson didn’t start and his quality with set pieces was missed, especially in the early stages. Price didn’t want to dwell too much on that. “It was one of those games. It’s not always going to go right all of the time and when it doesn’t you’ve just got to make sure you win.”
Despite that, he had little reason to be disappointed with the defence who restricted Loxwood to not having a clear cut chance throughout the ninety minutes. “That’s the foundation.” said Price “They never really had anything going forward. I didn’t really think that we were ever going to lose it but going forward we weren’t as good as we normally are. It happens. We’ve had a lot of games in a short space of time, which is going to happen.”
Two wins in the F.A. Cup and now a win in the Vase means that there has been some prize money coming into the club, and Price was happy about that. “It makes a massive difference, especially in the times we’re in with Covid and things like that. It makes a massive difference. It’s definitely needed.”
Although the league is their bread and butter, success in knock-out tournaments brings extra games and they now have their next F.A. Cup game looming. “We’ve got Hartley Whitney away on Tuesday.” said Price. “We’ve had a tough start in the league. We’ve had Chatham at home, Croydon away and had Beckenham at home and we’ve drawn two and lost one.
“To be fair, we could have got something from all of them. We should have beaten Beckenham and we should at least have picked up a point at home to Chatham. We definitely need to put some wins on the board. It doesn’t come any easier. We’ve got Hollands and Blair next week which is another tough one. They play a different way but they’re good at what they do. Simon Halsey’s got them playing really well considering when he took over.”
Their victory over Loxwood means that they will be at home to Colliers Wood United in the second qualifying round on Saturday 10th October.
Image courtesy of Dave Budden