Sittingbourne (A) - KCC 1/4 Final

Afternoon boys,

Hope everyone is still as buzzing as I am about yesterday’s comprehensive win to reach the last 4 in Kent, great achievement but I want to stress it won’t mean ANYTHING if we don’t now go all the way & that’s what we plan on doing!

The game itself I thought was exactly what we spoke about before & exactly what we expected from Sittingbourne, a poor pitch, all be it I felt we handled the conditions exceptionally well & took control of the game from min 1 - 70, we were SO up for it & that’s so pleasing without much prompting from me.

We dominated the ball in the early stages and I was delighted with the width both Bailey & Kai kept, we have been working on this and both of you throughout the game offered us a outlet when in possession, I still want to see our fullbacks joining in more too create + 1 in wide areas but that’s something we will focus on in the coming weeks.

The first goal was brilliant, a wonderful touch and slide pass from Leon & a wonderful finish from you Lemar, RUTHLESS! You were unplayable for 50 mins, but I challenge you now to get fitter so you can maintain that level for the entire game without us looking to change things!

The equaliser I think was Sittingbournes only shot all game. I will hold my hands up I felt we were so in control we could go 2 v 2 at the back and it backfired, all be it, Beau you have to be STRONGER in those duels you had your body between the ball and the goal and let him nip in front of you, a lesson to learn on when to just clear the ball and go with low risk football.

The response was great chaps, we simply just took over again and killed any spirit they may have built up with a great finish from Kai, followed up with a improvised goal from Max, both from long throws, they are such a threat and will really serve us well moving forward, I like how we are now mixing it up though, teams will know what’s coming so playing short when they are set up for a long throws will keep us difficult to guess on, again it’s something we will add to the armoury in training!

At half time I spoke about KILLING the game & lads my only criticism from yesterday is honestly should have been 10, chance after chance went begging, we either missed the target in good areas or took that extra touch allowing them to block or clear the ball, I need to make clear in the bigger games this season we may well not create 15 clear cut chances so when they come they need to be put in the back of the net, really let that sink in as a message for the remainder of the year!

We made changes and I felt Malik you absolutely ran the game in the 2nd half alongside Max & we camped Sittingbourne in for the entire half, it was attack vs defence and just a matter of time before we put them to bed and how we did!

Leon Hoda, what a STRIKE! Left foot half volley from the best part of 30 yards, I can coach and give information tactically, but moments like that are just raw talent, what a strike, as we discussed in your review your a “Maverick” & you have given us some moments of pure class this season, keep producing those we are going to need them in the run in!

After that lads is was a case of how many & I am slightly aggravated we didn’t really put them to the sword with goals but some of the play was outstanding on a terrible surface.

Doniel I thought you was excellent when you came on & Kai you looked like a PROPER winger on Sunday, a vital goal, some of your movements from outside to in were brilliant, it’s very pleasing from a coaching point to see you taking on board the information, well done!

Please take a good look through the player data lads on your account, Bailey it’s no surprise to me you topped the charts in terms of distance, high intensity events & other categories, your reaction/transition to when we lost the ball yesterday was of a very high standard! Leading from the front!

Chaps we are in a very strong position and it’s so important we build on this now.

Well done but remember the job is not done!

H/Becks