Revelling in silence (16.03.06)

MAGPIES manager Carl Taylor was positively bubbling with joy after Saturday’s terrific draw at Welling, and took the home crowd’s silence at the end of the game as a genuine compliment.
He said: “I have never heard a ground at non-league level go that silent. It was great.”
Discussing the game itself, Taylor added: “In the first 25 minutes they battered us. They looked a fantastic side, and they are.
“After 30 minutes I was fuming and I was going to make three substitutions at half-time.
“I’d already made a tactical change by switching Mark Graham and Dean Bradshaw, and that’s where the goal came from. It was a fantastic cross from Hughesy, and what a finish from Dean.
“And from the moment we scored, until they got that penalty, we bossed it. At half-time I told them ‘Now you know why I yell and scream so much. You’re good enough to beat this side’.
“We got ahead 2-1 and could have got a third, and until the penalty we were seeing it out comfortably. Then to come back in injury-time to get a draw was fantastic.”
Taylor was also excited at the prospect of signing striker Neville Roach on Thursday night, and was hoping to include him in the starting line-up on Saturday, when United welcome Dorchester Town to York Road.
The Dorset side will be seeking revenge for a 3-1 drubbing in the reverse fixture.
However, Taylor was confident United could complete a league double over the visitors.
He said: “They play a certain way, and if they get hold of you they’re difficult to break down,
“But they hate ability and pace, and we’re confident we can beat them again.
“We’re a decent side now. And all Saturday did was prove that point.”

Club commits to the future (16.03.06)

CLUB director Peter Griffin has been busy this week, negotiating contracts with several key players.
Following the turmoil of the last 18 months, which have seen three managers and more than 50 players arrive at York Road, Griffin was eager to create a firm foundation for next season.
Only skipper Nathan Bunce was previously under contract, but he has now been joined by three others.
Griffin said: “With a view to getting stability on the playing side, contracts have been agreed to the end of 2007 with Steve Dell, Ryan Parsons and Abdul Saeed-Osman. And we’re in negotiations with Stephen Hughes and Chris Wild. Also, brilliant news for the club is we have reached agreement on a contract with Carl (Taylor) to the end of 2007.
“He’s the right man for the job. He’s been great for the club.We’re planning to reinstate a reserves side next season, and Carl will manage them as well.
“We’re delighted with the contracts we have agreed and we’re looking forward to further successful negotiations. It’s a sign of our intent to take a long-term view.”
The club was also expecting Neville Roach to join its burgeoning squad on Thursday night, and he could play tomorrow (Saturday).
The experienced striker scored 22 goals in 45 starts for Basingstoke Town last season
He then moved to Eastleigh, and scored for his new club against United in a 2-2 draw.
Roach subsequently went on loan at Oxford United, where he has made seven appearances, six from the bench.
Unfortunately, Joe Bruce has been recalled from his loan spell by Grays.