Magpies’ confidence boost (28.10.05)

DESPITE being disappointed not to have beaten Eastleigh at York Road on Saturday, manager Carl Taylor is still highlighting the match as a turning point.
After an excellent performance from the hosts, which only really lacked a cutting edge, the Magpies nicked a late goal to earn a point and, according to Taylor, boost their confidence levels.
He said: “It’s a shame we didn’t win because we played some great football. But with three minutes remaining we were still a goal down, so it was great to take a point.
“What it highlighted was our battling qualities and our desire-levels.
“We twice came back from behind, and hopefully the players can see what can be achieved even when behind.
“That’s important, and I believe this performance and result could be the making of us this season.”
He added: “At the moment we’re playing some good stuff, as I said we would. All the teams we play against can’t believe we’re at the bottom. They’re very complimentary about us.
“That just shows how much we have achieved already.”
Taylor is hoping his team will achieve even more and as a result he has added striker Marc Whiteman to the squad to help score goals.
Taylor said: “Marc’s two or three weeks away from where he needs to be at the moment, but then you’ll see what he can do.
“He used to play along side Lee Newman at Lewes and they are two natural goalscorers, believe me.
‘They have had some knocks to their confidence over the last couple of seasons, but I think they are two of the best goalscorers around. They’ll prove this, and I’ll back them.”
Newman, who produced an eye-catching display against Eastleigh, will certainly figure against Welling United tomorrow (Saturday) in a match which Taylor believes is tough but winnable.
He said: “Welling are the model to look at for us. Last season they were fighting against going down, now this season they have lost only once and face Huddersfield in the FA Cup.
“They are like us, they work very hard. They will be difficult to beat, but we are due some fortune.
“We have been playing well without winning, maybe this is the one we win despite a below-par performance.
“It can easily happen. There are no easy teams in this division, but also no one is unbeatable. The players need to realise this.”
On Tuesday, the Magpies have a distraction from the league when they travel down the road to face Windsor & Eton in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup.
Taylor is looking for a good result, but it is not central to his thinking for this season.
He said: “It’s always nice to have a cup run – the fans love it – and especially in the Berks & Bucks. It’s all about local prestige so it’ll be nice to win, especially as it’s Windsor.
“But my priority is Welling on Saturday and then Dorchester the following week."