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Dave Anderson
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Here is the latest news from First XI Manager Dave
Anderson 7/10/04
The
last two weeks have seen us rise to 2nd in the league and our
confidence improve by thumping two teams from the lower part of the
league in Hedon and Withernsea. You can only beat what is put in front
of you. Granted both teams were poor but our total Professionalism
from 1pm onwards has been first class and we have gone on to really
hammer both sides were maybe last year we would have won by a couple
of goals.
Competition
for places are high; all players have done well but a special mention
comes to Dave Clements who has come in and done very well. Andy Raynor
has moved to his more natural position and been a revolution and with
a creative midfield four it has brought out the best in our front two;
in particular Phil Jackman who notched his first hat-trick of the
season last week and he continues to climb the league top goals
scorers charts. We now must produce this form when the better teams
come along.
Our
monthly Player Of The Month Award for September has gone to Danny
Macintyre; since joining the club from Reckitts, Danny has made the
left back spot his own and he has grown in stature.
Injuries
seem to be clearing up with Mike Gibson, Andy Outram and Neil Leckonby
making good progress and hopefully by the end of the week we will have
completed the signing of Craig Cockin. Craig was a person we tried to
sign 2-3 years ago and is one of the best young strikers around and he has
already got a proven track record as a goals scorer. This will be a
great addition to the first team squad which will start to be effected
due to ER Juniors call ups.
A
special mention to the Reserves; Wacker and Glyn are doing a fantastic
job with the youngsters and getting them ready for first team
football. With Taylor, Johnson , Dent and Bartlett but to name a few
pushing hard for a first team place; it gives the club the strength in
depth that the club needs to progress.
19/9/04
Saturday
saw us lose our first home game; two nil to Hider. After such a
good start we came crashing down to earth with what can only be
described as our poorest performance this year. We had put ourselves
in a fantastic position but Saturday's defeat is a major set-back
.With Lee Jackson (Holiday) and Andy Taylor (Brid Town duty) both
missing it gave an opportunity for certain players to stake a claim
for a regular place.
We
were left seriously lacking against an average Hider team. Our
commitment, passing and desire were lacking and we dropped down to
their level and got out-battled. It could have been a different story
if we had taken all of our chances and the game had nil-nil written
all over it until two goals in the last 10 minutes gave Hider the 3
points. One slight plus was that all the other teams dropped points
leaving us still 4 points behind the leaders. It is so important that
we bounce back on Saturday against Hedon.
To
finish off a poor weekend we were dealt a major blow when Mike Gibson
injured his ankle ligaments on Sunday and will be out with 4-6 weeks.
This is a major blow as Mike has been outstanding so far this season.
He will join Neil Leckonby on the long term injury list. On the plus
side Andy Outram is making steady progress from his summer wrist
operation and completed 70 minutes with the reserves.
As
Trott and I have said this season that we need a big first team squad if
we are to try and challenge for honours this year. We already have an
injury list growing and people not available due to holidays and
suspensions. On this note it is very disappointing that Daz McGrath
and Mark McGrath have decided to leave the club, Both Senior Members
of the squad who have not been prepared to sit around. Quite
ironic that when Mark decides to leave Mike Gibson gets his long term
injury which would have given him an opportunity; unfortunately that
now opens the door for another.
5/9/04
Reckitts
lost 2-4 (Jackman , Jackson )
Hornsea
won 2-1 (Jackman , Taylor)
At
the end of this weeks fixtures sees us sitting joint second in the
league ahead of next weeks top of the table clash at Easington. When
you think this time last year we were third for bottom shows how well
the lads have performed. This must be backed up now and help us
sustain a top four position in the forthcoming months. The lads
deserve all the credit. With what was a difficult start to the season
with all games being played away from home and the squad changing week
to week due to holidays and work commitments.
This
weeks fixtures firstly saw us lose our unbeaten run at Reckitts. With
both our First choice and Reserve Keepers away we signed cover in
Danny Mudd for the game. Mr Mudd then decided to cry off at 4.30pm
which really threw our preparations into turmoil. We were indebted to
Martyn Evans who covered for us at last minute but was then sent off
midway through the second half for a dubious Hand ball which really
typified our day. Martyn could not be blamed but with one of two main
keepers in goal I am sure we would have taken all 3 points. We started
poorly and were two down after 10mins. We clawed back to be
level at Half time with goals from Jackman and Jackson. Second half
was our poorest 45 mins so far this season which resulted in Reckitts
winning the game.
A
sign of a good team is how they bounce back and we did that in style
on Saturday when the lads showed tremendous character at Hornsea on
what can only be described as playing on a ploughed School pitch and
the whole set up did not justify the league we are playing in!!!!!!
Jamie Robinson made his debut but we lost Lee Jackson who has chipped
a bone in his thumb. We we went one nil down early but bounced back
with goals from Jackman and Taylor to win the game and if it wasn't
for the Hornsea keeper we could have won by a greater margin. A great
three points after our disappointment on Wednesday night at Reckitts
and I am sure many teams won't get much when they visit Hornsea.
Good
news is that Hirsh returns from holiday this week and is available for
the game at Easington next week. Mike Gibson is also back but will
miss the game due to suspension. We have also been able to capture the
signing of Lee Geraghty from Reckitts who was outstanding for the
Representatives U20 side and is a major signing for us. He will
add more competition for places and is a player who I believe has a
bright future in the game and will worry defences with his electric
pace. Nathan Ledger and Neil Leckonby are making good progress with
their injuries but are both still a good 4 weeks away.
This
months Westella player of the month award for August went to Andy
Taylor. He has been outstanding in the middle of the park for us
and it was a easy choice for myself and Trotts. My last word for now
goes to our coach Mike Trotter. Called into action at 37; he has been
totally outstanding for us and the youngsters need to take a good look
at him and how he conducts himself both on and off the field as he
puts a lot of the players to shame.
25/08/04
The
first week of the season has seen us make a steady start; a draw at
Brid on the face of things before the game you would have taken but
given the side that Brid put out, then I feel that it was two points
lost. The 3-2 win at last seasons league champions was a great boost
for the club and shows what the lads can do when they put the minds to
it and even more sweeter was the fact that we came from two goals
down. This result must be backed up with a win against East Hull on
Saturday.
As I
keep on stressing preparation and planning is a key to a teams
success. At this level you cannot expect to turn up half a hour before
the game and expect to put in a performance. I felt I was let down by
the way we acquitted ourselves as a team at Brid which wasn't helped
by our keeper getting stuck in traffic and arriving well after the
game had started.
The
first half against Hutton Cranswick saw our total lack of discipline
cost the team and we ended up two goals down. Three needless
bookings from the more senior members of the team and with our
minds more on trying to argue with the referee, criticise each
other we were about to self destruct .After a few harsh words at
half time the most pleasing thing was we had actually listened,
shut our mouths, and played. Hopefully the players have learned a big
lesson.
Andy
Taylor had a outstanding debut for us against Hutton Cranswick and
will be a valuable asset to us and with people returning from holiday
next week the first team squad will return to full strength and
competition for places high. On the injury front, Neil Leckonby is not
as bad as first thought and will be only 6-8 weeks whilst Nathan
Ledger has a torn a hamstring and could be at least a month.
15/08/04 Last friendly yesterday and beat Nostell 4-1. Goals came from Pecora , Daz Mcgrath , Danny Mackintyre and Nathan Ledger. All set and ready to go!!
10/08/04
"Pre-season friendlies" In Summary it has been a good workout with 20 players being used over the 2 games. Competition for places has been good which is a must if we are to compete for honours this year. Players' holidays kick in so this will reduce the first team availability with one final friendly on Saturday at Nostrell, and then a very difficult start to the season. This will give the players available the first chance to hold onto their shirts. 22/07/04
An
update for you is that we have been training 3 times a week and the
lads are working hard. Tuesday night sessions have been with Mick
Matthews will a fitness session on a Thursday at St Mary's and a
practice match on a Saturday.
Numbers
have been very good with all players from 1st and 2nds in attendance.
On
the playing side all youngsters (Plummer, Pecora and Ledger) are to
re-sign but will stretch resources as all will be involved with ERCFA
juniors.
All
first team squad have trained well with Owen Robinson and Lee Mankel
looking sharp and have put themselves in contention for a first team
place.
Lee
Jackson has signed again but is currently on his honeymoon , New
signings include Danny Mackintyre from Reckitts and the return of
Jamie Robinson as well as Neil Leckenby from Anlaby Utd.
Pre-season
freindlies will see us visit Bottersford on July 31st and Nostrell FC
on 14th August with a local game TBA on the 7th and hopefully at out
new ground for next season Costello Stadium.
New
season starts 21st August but with holiday commitments this will
stretch our playing squad.
Director of Football Ian
Gray 18/08/04 Neil Leckenby could be sidelined for
up to 8 weeks following the knee injury he sustained in the friendly
against Goole Town Reserves. Friendlies have been arranged for
Ella’s Reserves and Juniors as follows: Sat 28.8 – Res v Boothferry Rgs
(H) 2.00 Sat 28.8 – Jns v Skidby (A)
2.00 Tue 31.8 – Mixed XI v NFU u18 (H)
6.30 Martin Newman a midfield player who
was with South Normanton Ath in the NCEL last season has been training
with the club. 10/8/04
SEASON 2004/05 – UPDATE Preparations are well under way for the 2004/05 season with the three senior training sessions per week being well attended. Tuesday night fitness sessions with Mick Matthews at Warners, have been complemented by 5-a-sides on a Thursday evening at St Mary’s College and ball work and pattern play sessions at Cottingham Rec on a Saturday morning. With Dave Anderson and Mike Trotter still at the First Team helm the team are in good hands and will be looking to improve on their 5th placed finish achieved after a tremendous run of only two defeats in their final 19 league games, plus a close Grays Cup semi-final defeat against eventual winners Easington Utd, after two replays. As it currently
stands those members of last seasons squad will be re-signing, apart
from Steve Platten who has hung up his boots after tremendous service
with the club, due to injury. There have also been a number of new faces
at training, and of those Danny McIntyre, the former Chisholms and Pre-Season fixtures commence with a visit to Bottesford Town (Central Midlands) on the 31st July, with Askern Welfare (provisionally) pencilled in for the 7th August, and a visit to Nostell FC (West Riding Senior League) scheduled for the 14th. The Reserves squad after finishing a disappointing 4th in the ERCL Division 1, after such a great start to the season, will be under new management next season, after Ian Lee’s decision to stand down from the position. Negotiations as to his replacement are still on-going with an appointment hopefully being made in the not too distant future. The Juniors team after suffering relegation from the ERCL Division 2 will also be under new management yet to be confirmed. The squad will once again have an influx of youngsters from my U16 squad, to add to those players from Ray Platten & Mark Palmer’s two U18 squads, plus a selection of good quality veterans to give the younger players the required guidance.
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