Magpies still finding their feet (24.08.06)

YORK Road boss Carl Taylor is making good on his promise to try and play attractive, passing football this season.
Unfortunately, every other team in the league is doing its upmost to thwart him.
On Saturday, United outplayed Gloucester City for much of the match, only to be beaten by two goals in the last 10 minutes.
And it was a similar story on Tuesday, when Chippenham Town closed ranks and denied United the space to play.
Taylor said: “Most of the teams in this league play like that.
“They play not to get beaten. They lump it forward and see where it goes from there.
“But at least we know what we’ve got to deal with now.
“It’s frustrating for me and the players but we have to learn.
“Gloucester were another typical Southern League side – big and well organised – but we should have had that game won by half-time.
“No doubt about it. We absolutely battered them.
“They only had two shots on goal and unfortunately both went in.”
However, overall Taylor was pleased with progress, adding: “We’ll be a force this season.
“We will score goals. I’m not worried about that.”
Meanwhile, Taylor is still hoping to make important additions to his squad, including York Road favourite Craig O’Connor.
He said: “Craig will come back. It’s just a matter of how we get him back.
“It should have been sorted out at the end of the week, but they are trying to bluff us that they’re not going to release him without a fee.”
Taylor is also talking to a former Oxford United player, who he hopes to sign in the near future.
He said: “A lot of players still want to come here, and they’re all quality players. So the signs are good.”

On Saturday, United welcome King’s Lynn to York Road. Taylor said: “They have a really strong side. I spoke to one of their players today (Wednesday) and they’re looking forward to it, but so am I. I think we’ll do okay.”
On Bank Holiday Monday the Magpies make the trip to Bristol to take on Mangotsfield United, who only won promotion to the Premier Division in 2005.
Nonetheless, Taylor will not be underestimating them.
He said: “Mangotsfield will be a tough away game.
“Again they’re very physical, but I’m not bothered by that.
“Defensively we’ve come a long way and once we start scoring we’ll be fine.
“We’re not doing a lot wrong until the final third, and we’ll soon fix that.”