Taylor hopes to cash in on Bunce (26.01.06)

ALTHOUGH the Magpies were eventually well beaten at Cambridge City on Saturday, manager Carl Taylor took a huge number of positives from the clash.
He said: “We had a new defence and few offensive options, so it was always likely to be tough. But if we could have got to the break on level terms, I think we could have snatched a point.
“However, the harsh sending off of Graham Porter on 55 minutes and then a second goal which was yards off-side set the seal.”
Taylor was clearly encouraged by the performance of new central defender and captain Nathan Bunce, who has been brought in to add leadership to the team.
The Magpies boss said: “I’ve been after Nathan for six or seven weeks, and once he saw what we were trying to do here, he was happy to commit himself to the club for 28 months.
“I think he’ll be hugely influential and players will respond to him.”
Defender Joe Bruce has also signed, on loan, from Grays Athletic, while going out of the door has been striker Lee Newman, who joined Eastbourne Borough, and defender Chris Elsegood.

Tomorrow (Saturday) the Magpies entertain Hayes in a match which Taylor is eagerly awaiting.
He said: “We’ll be well prepared for Hayes, and with all respect to them, they won’t cause us the problems at the back which Cambridge did.
“The defence will have had another week to bed in, plus we’ll have Craig Lewington and Stephen Hughes available which will give us more offensive options.
“There may even be one or two more signings before Saturday.”
He added: “We are looking to go on a good run, and this could be the game to get us started.

Maidenhead United’s home match with Basingstoke has been rescheduled for the third time, and is now set for Tuesday, kick-off 7.45pm.
Due to the rearranged Basingstoke game the supporters forum has been postponed.