Manager Kevin Horlock reflects on last night's heartbreaking Emirates FA Cup exit.
DK: Heartbreaking way to go out?
KH: Yeah, I'm devastated for the boys, they've over two games put in such a shift, and it was a horrible goal to concede and so late on, but they're obviously really dejected in there, and I understand it, but I couldn't be prouder of them. They put in an unbelievable shift in over nearly 3 hours of football. They've gone toe to toe with a National League team and there wasn't much in it. As much as it hurts now I said to them down there, they've took this club, they've elevated this club to levels it's not been to before, with nights like this. So we're doing alright, it's just to bounce back now, they're deeply disappointed and rightly so, because they deserved more, but they're doing great!
DK: Is it more gutting considering we've probably had the better of the chances and possession tonight?
KH: Yeah, the game was slightly different tonight, we was a little bit more front foot, and was obviously it was going to be that way with us being at home, slightly different so, we had chances. They had (chances) as well, let's not kid ourselves, I'm not deluded, they've hit the post - we've had a bit fortunate with that. The lad should probably score when he's twisted inside and blazed over, but we've had chances. On another night we score and it could've been different, but fair play to them, they obviously over two games they battled away and they've gone through, so we wish them well in the next round.
DK: From our point of view though, like you say, the fact that we've held a National League team home and away for like 200 minutes is pleasing.
KH: Yeah, look they had a lot of possession first game - tonight I think it was a little bit more even. We've had chances, and it just wasn't to be tonight, obviously disappointed to concede the goal so late on - in the manner it was conceded, but that comes from tiredness maybe, lack of concentration. I don't know, but I'm so proud of all of them, and this is where we need to realise what potential this team's got. This is where we need to stick together, and now take it into the league campaign, and obviously vthe Premier Cup - which are the two things we've got to play for. So there's nothing in the background to stop us pushing on, so it's important that we keep that hunger and drive that the group's got, be disappointed and want to replicate nights like tonight next season in the FA Cup - and we concentrate on the league, and try and accumalate as many points as we can.
DK: To literally be a slither away from the first round must make it more gutting?
KH: Yeah, just losing football matches. This group don't like losing, none of us do, but to be so close to the first round, and obviously you don't know - you're in dream land, you don't know where it can go - to be so close and fall short at the final minute or whatever it was is heartbreaking, but moments like this and heartache of football, because it's a cruel game at times, can be things that fuel your fire as well. So a football career is never going to be all highs, there's going to be low, and this one - albeit is a high as well for the football club and the lads, because we're punching above our weight - is a low as well, because we knew how close we were and we probably deserved more on the night.
DK: Like we've said, it's a proper - yes Saturday was more of a defensive performance while getting forward at times, let's not kid ourselves, but tonight it was a proper Needham performance so far this season. Solid at the back, but looked dangerous.
KH: We had to add that front foot tonight, at home we had to take it to them and I thought we did. I thought we did it really well, yes they had moments still - which you expect but - I couldn't be prouder of this group of players, and I'm hoping the supporters are proud of them and they continue to support them this year, in numbers, hopefully numbers grow and we keep putting on performances like this, because even as manager I'm in the moment, and in the game, but at times we play some unreal football that's a delight to watch.
DK: In their ranks they've got a handful of players who've got over 100 EFL or higher appearances and it's taken that type of goal to beat us.
KH: Yeah, that's the FA Cup, that's the heartbreak of it, but you can't be too disappointed, because like I said we've nearly got to the first round again. The lads have been magnificent over the two legs, anyone who's watched the games will have seen that, and look I couldn't be prouder of them. I'm just hoping that the Needham fans are proud as well, because this group could end up achieving something special.
DK: Of the 604 tonight, by the looks of how people were standing second half, it looked like the majority were supporting us.
KH: Yeah, it was a great atmosphere, obviously the drum was playing, and again they make a difference, they have made a difference this season the group of Needham fans, the young lads that come with the drums, the lads really appreciate it, and they were that extra man tonight when we needed them. So I'd just love to see more nights, not only in the FA Cup, numbers increasing in the league to get behind these lads, because this group of players is special.
DK: What's your message to the fans?
KH: I hope they enjoyed the journey this year in the FA Cup, but we've got more to come from this team, this group of players have got more to come, and obviously we want to kick on in the league, Premier Cup, and then we'll revisit the FA Cup next season and try to get to that first round again.
DK: It was nice to see McGrath back starting!
KH: Yeah, I thought we did well, he gives us something different in terms of his hold up play's really good, obviously he's not played a lot of football of late, and got tired up, but up until that moment I think he got us a foothold in the gamewhere we take possession higher up the pitch. So he'll probably be sore tomorrow and tired, as will all of them, but we'll get together Thursday for training, have a loose one, have a loosen up and have a stretch and see where we are, and Saturday's massive. Back to the league campaign, obviously teams have played extra gamesnow and we've not dropped too far, so we just want to start winning games in the league again and see where that goes.
DK: Bit of a surprise to see Pagey come off the bench, after the injury Saturday?
KH: Yeah, look assessments were done, at first he thought he'd pulled his hamstring, but it loosened off and it looked like it was only cramp in the end, so he had the test and said it was fine.
DK: How far's Reece from being back match fit?
KH: Reece was about to come on in extra time actually, obviously we didn't get that opportunity to do, so Reece is there or there abouts, so there may be a few changes on Saturday, we'll see.
DK: If it had've gone to extra time did you have other subs planned?
KH: I hadn't thought that far ahead, obviously I was just doing it in the moment and what was needed in the game at that time, but Reece was going to be coming on unfortunately we didn't get the chance to.
DK: Is there anything that you wish that the lads would've done differently tonight?
KH: Score! No look, the lads were brilliant, the chances, they weren't great chances on other day a little bit more conviction maybe it may get you a goal, but I can't ask more from than what they give me, which they keep giving me every week, so I'm a proud manager, even in defeat.
DK: Moving onto Saturday, back in the league after cup after cup game, that should be a big one?
KH: Yeah, like I said they're upset and tired, but like I said that's fine. That's fine because football is about growing and developing and learning, and pain and upset is part of that, so they can be upset, but like I said be very proud of themselves and this is our moment of learning where we want to kick on and try and get to a place where we're playing teams like York every week, and to do that you need to get out of the division we're in. So that's what we're going to try and do.
DK: What reaction's needed Saturday?
KH: Not a reaction, I don't think it's a reaction I'm after, because we were good tonight, I think it's just more of the same, them energy levels, that commitment, that desire which I know this team give me anyway, so I don't think I need a reaction. I'd be quite happy with it staying the same, because if we play like that against most teams we'd win.
DK: Is that we've come like that save from Ingers, Keiran's headed a header just wide, still pleasing for you?
KH: Yeah, I'm disappointed we've lost, of course I am, but we've gone toe to toe with nothing in it, and had a threat as well surely gives the players, it doesn't give me anymore belief, because I've got total belief in this group, but I'm hoping it gives themselves that they're good individually and a really good team and a really good group. So I'm hoping, as disappointing that it is tonight, it gives them that bit of confidence as well.
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