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WEEKLY BULLETIN – 26TH JULY

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FIXTURES

  • Friday 27th July Friendly Home to Edgware and Kingsbury kick-off 7.30pm.
  • Tuesday 30th July Friendly Away to Stotfold kick-off 7.45pm.

GROUND ENTRY ARRANGEMENTS FOR EDGWARE GAME
For those of you who are attending tonight’s game against Edgware & Kingsbury, please be aware of the ground entry arrangements for this game.

The turnstiles on Fishponds Road will be closed, and all entries will be via the side gate in the Top Field Car Park.

Ticketing arrangements are as follows:

  • You are strongly advised if at all possible to buy tickets online in advance. To do so will ensure you can have fast track entry into the ground and will not have to join any ticket queue.
  • If you are unable to buy your ticket(s) online, we will have match day entry but this will be by card payment only – no cash payments accepted. Prices of tickets tomorrow night are £5 Adult, £3 Concession (60-79), £2 Teenager, £1 Child Under 13 (who MUST be accompanying an adult or concession), Seniors Over 80 FREE.
  • Season tickets will be accepted if presented for scanning at the gate. Anyone who has recently ordered a season card but hasn’t received it yet, please ask at the gate and we now have most of these for collection.

Hoping to see a good few attend and enjoy the game.

MANAGER’S NOTES BY BRETT DONNELLY
So let’s start with last week’s performance at St Neots. First half we were ok at times and poor at others. We probably had our best 10 minute spell just before they scored ironically. We were wide open when we lost the ball and it wasn’t good enough, which is especially annoying as we had worked on it. But take nothing away from St Neots, they are a good step 4 side so I see no issues with them getting promoted from step 5 this season. It was a proper game one we started in friendly mode whilst they started as if it was a league game. You have to remember that was their last friendly before they start their campaign tomorrow, so they are probably 2-3 weeks in front of us. We are still working on combinations and pairings and how we are going to set up. That said I thought we were much better second half and controlled the game but just lacked that quality in the final third. I’ve been relatively happy with how it’s going. Obviously we needed a high turnover of players but the core is there. Now we fine tweak it.

This week we had the 10k orienteering Brett Donnelly fun run. The main focus is to build team spirit, team work and not accept losing as well as getting fit. There were some great times and some poor map reading but we got out of it what we wanted except me…. Who ended up with egg smashed into my hair. The culprit will receive some retribution, it’s a long season!!!!!

Today we play Edgware & Kingsbury in a game I’d like to see us dominate the ball a lot better than we have done. Also I need to work out our best team. Everything is still up for grabs. So chances for players are there. Tonight I want to see the hunger and desire to be a starter.

The reason we have a Friday game today is that we have a social day tomorrow. We are Go-Karting followed by a few drinks and some food. Its massively important for me that the players get to know each other off the field and build relationships. I want them to be mates not just lads who play football together. It goes a long way.

The most frustrating issue this pre-season has been the injuries. Fernando picked up another knock on his knee and may not be back until the Arsenal game, Albie like wise with a groin issue, Glees won’t be about until after his suspension is finished. Jhai Dhillion is recovering from knocks which have occurred due to his body not being quite where it needs to be due to his time out of the game. We need to handle him with care. We have also had a flu virus sweep through the squad knocking a few lads off their feet. Snee could be back sooner than anticipated but we are awaiting the results of an x-ray. Brooksy got a bang in training and may be struggling this week. We also have some on holidays due to the schools just finishing. Not ideal but I think from the Stotfold game Tuesday it will be full steam ahead.

See you tonight.

ACADEMY UPDATE BY MICHAEL JONES
On Friday 19th July we hosted our annual under 16s 6 aside tournament.

The tournament was a great success with Manuden coming away as overall champions as they beat Knebworth in the final. Manuden had an excellent day winning all their games.

The winners were rewarded with medals and a trophy as well as footballs and water bottles.

We are now turning our attention to our Pre Season training start date which is Monday 29th July where we look forward to welcoming all the new players to the academy as well as welcoming back our returning players.

Our first Pre Season friendly is Monday 5th August and this will help in our preparation for our FA Youth Cup fixture at Home to Dunstable Town on Wednesday 4th September.

BY ROY IZZARD