Manager Kevin Horlock reflects on yesterday's 2-0 victory away at AFC Telford United.
DK: Another win!
KH: Yeah, it was always going to be difficult today, obviously they're a massive football club, they've got a strong squad, it was a big crowd - 15 hundred here - today, so we was up against it. Long journey, we've had to walk half a mile to come into the ground for whatever reason, don't know what that was about, but the lads were brilliant, they worked so hard, they give everything. Obviously Ingers has scored a cracking goal the first one, I don't think he'll ever score another left foot like that, but he scored from a set-piece, and again it's not by chance, obviously we look at them and we look at how we can hurt them, and Tom's brilliant at that. Tom's said they're not great at set-pieces, put into this area and we got a chance, and we scored from it, so we work on things and they've started to pay off. So, I couldn't be happier, yeah, a clean sheet as well, which obviously they're (players) buzzing about as well, so yeah, it's a massive, massive win for us!
DK: The early goal from Ingers set the tone.
KH: Yeah, it obviously came at a good time, there's never a bad time to score obviously, but it's sort of just quietened the crowd down a little bit, give us a bit more belief, but we've got belief. We're winning games and doing well, so we come here thinking we could win, but obviously the left footed shot from Ingers going top bins gives that extra spring in our step, and obviously getting the second just before half-time, it didn't make it comfortable, because they tried to rattle us and obviously try and put bodies forward, and we weathered that, and I thought we were brilliant.
DK: We defended well today, even when they did come at us second half, so do you think overall we deserved it?
KH: Yeah, look I think Marco made a couple of saves in the first half, can't remember much more. We defend really well, we've probably - I don't know, I've not looked at the stats - but we haven't conceded many - takeaway the goals from Stratford, the 6-1 - we're good defensively. With Marco in goal and obviously everyone ahead of the back four we work so hard as a team, so it's not just defenders as such, but they defend well and as a team I thought we were brilliant across the board today.
DK: It's another win ticked off, another away win, so we're improving on last year.
KH: Yeah, look, I've said it in many an interview now, the league is our priority this year, in terms of improving. We were way below where we should've been last year, we've improved the squad. I think the players that have come in have made us better, there's no doubt about that, the proof's there. So it's just now, my job is to obviously keep lads grounded, keep them focused, which I don't think I'll have much problem doing because they're an unbelievable group, and we just need to keep hungry. We've got another massive game Tuesday, the problem with football is once you believe you're good, once you think, "oh this game is going to be easy, because we're at home," you get kicked in the teeth. So, we'll be focused, we'll be ready for Tuesday, obviously we've got a few knocks and that, obviously Hammo was missing today through suspension. So we'll be looking to just stay focused and carry this good form on.
DK: Yeah, with only two subs available it shows how closely knit the group is.
KH: Yeah, it's strength in adversity, I don't think the lads even noticed, nothing massive was said about it - it's not ideal, Lettsy, James Letts, obviously was unwell, we wish he gets better soon and was unavailable. So it is what it is, we've come here with two subs and we didn't need any more than that anyway, so it was an unbelievable performance. There'll be a few tired legs, I'll imagine, because we have worked really hard today, but they're fit, they're hungry, they'll rest up and we'll be ready Tuesday, and it'll be nice to play a league game at home.
DK: What's the most pleasing part for you today, especially with at least 2 players unavailable, and with the long trip?
KH: Obviously the 3 points is what you're after, but this group pleases me every time we play, everytime we train, they're really close knit - like you said - they're willing to run through brick walls for each other, and the staff, and that says everything. I've said potentially this could be a really bit season for us, so we're going well, we'll stay focused, we're looking forward to the league game at home on Tuesday. We've got a tough game in the FA Cup, which again we want to progress as far as we can, and hopefully get to the level we did, or the round we did last year, and possibly go further. We've got Premier Cup, we've got the Trophy, so there's so much to look forward to, but we'll just stay focused and we'll all do that, and we're all hungry for improving week on week, season on season.
DK: It was good to see Ingers get his first two goals of the season!
KH: Yeah, the first one was unbelievable, as I said, he's cut inside and caught it really well, it was an unbelievable finish. The second one I didn't see much of, to be fair I've turned away and actually missed the finish, but again that's two goals. He could've had a hat-trick, half chance second half, but he'll be made up with that, and he'll always score goals, he's shown it in the past. He's not an out and out striker, he's played predominantly on the right of his career, but I put him up there one season he was our top goalscorer, he's massive, and he has been massive for the football club for a number of years now, so I'm really pleased for him.
DK: Like you say, St Ives at home on Tuesday, who've always been a difficult team to play, albeit without jinxing it we've got a good record against them.
KH: Yeah, we have, but that's when it becomes dangerous, because you start expecting an easy win, it won't be, I'll let people outside the dressing room think that. Yes, if we play as well as we can, then it should be a game that we win, but they'll be fancying their chances as well, so we just need to stay focused, and it's as simple as that and it is a bit of cliche, but one game at a timeand that's next - so we don't think we've got the three points in the bag, we'll be doing everything to get them, and if we get them and play well, or as well as we can then we should, but if you never do know.
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