Defeat dismissed (14.10.05)

Friendly results fail to ruffle Taylor as he focuses on league

THE Magpies suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Ryman League minnows Brook House at York Road on Tuesday night.
Having only managed a 1-1 draw against Flackwell Heath in last week’s friendly, some may have pushed the panic button.
But not York Road supremo Carl Taylor.
He said: “I’m not overly concerned about it. What both friendlies have shown me is our players are young and a bit inexperienced.
“When they play in the league they play at their optimum level and get the result. But in the friendlies they’ve been too relaxed and we’ve given away two sloppy goals.
“Brook House are a very good side and were playing as if their lives depended on it.
“But in the second half they didn’t even get near our penalty area. Our defence was exceptional.”
Nonetheless, he admitted United were not the finished article.
He said: “ It’s going to take a couple of months for us to get to where I want us to be.
“After Christmas I would expect to beat those sides comfortably, but I’m not worried at the moment.”
Former York Road favourites Ryan Ashe and Brendan Gallen made appearances in Tuesday’s game, and both did enough to impress Taylor.
Ashe signed on the dotted line last Thursday, and after Tuesday night’s showing Taylor is hoping Gallen will sign a deal in time for tomorrow’s (Saturday’s) trip to Havant & Waterlooville.
The Hampshire side have made a good start to the current season, following their disappointing run last term, which saw them flirting with relegation.
To date, the Hawks have won four and drawn one of their nine league games, but have lost the last two, and crashed out of the FA Cup at the hands of Cirencester Town on Saturday.
However, Taylor is not anticipating an easy ride, saying: “They have to react to that defeat, which makes it a dangerous game for us.
“We’re still the underdogs, so we can’t go in expecting to win it.”
“We haven’t played for a couple of weeks. That may or may not play against us, but I’m hoping not.
“I’m concerned about the first half hour, but hopefully we can get through that without conceding.
“Apart from that, I’m just approaching the game like any other.”
After tomorrow’s taxing trip to Havant, the Magpies go back on the road on Tuesday night, when they face an equally daunting game at Bishop’s Stortford.
Taylor said: “I watched them against Hayes and I know what to expect. It’s going to be difficult.”
“It’s a big week for us. It’s not make or break. But at the end of it we’ll either be in a healthy position in midtable, or back in the mire.
“Carshalton and Newport have new managers, so we’ll see who wants to get out of it the most.
“But we have a lot of youth, ability and desire in the team, and I think that will be enough.”
The recent influx of players will inevitably lead to an outflux, as budget constraints dictate the size of the squad.
Taylor said: “Five or six are under scrutiny.
“Every player knows what level of commitment I want, and if they’re not bringing me what I want they will be gone.
“But as long as players have a chance of getting in I’ll keep them around.”

HAIR RAISING: Chris Elsegood gets closed down during Tuesday night’s 1-0 friendly defeat at home to Brook House. Picture by Steve McCarthy.