DK: Well, we're going to get anywhere this season. Wins like that are going to help us.
KH: Yes, it was a massive, massive result for us, but a massive performance against, and I will say I thought before this game that Halesowen were probably the best team we've played so far this season, and they showed that again today. I thought we were brilliant defensively, we put our bodies on the line, and like I said, if they're the best team we've played against over two games, they've not scored against us. So, I don't know, the win probably flatters us a little bit, but that's what good teams do. We defended for our lives, we give a chance to win games, and I always felt we had a chance in us, and it came late on, which was perfect for us. So, yes, it was a perfect away performance, I think.
DK: Just one of those where luck was on our side in the key moment?
KH: Yes, I'm not sure it was luck. I think it was a good delivery. The goal in itself was a good delivery in. Tom, obviously, is astute with what he does. He gives lads information and said, if you clear the near post area, you'll get a chance, and we cleared it, and Ingers got a cross, and it was a good save from the keeper, and Dan was there to just nod it home. So, that wasn't lucky, and I don't think the win was lucky. I think we've had to work really hard for it. I think we've had to put a hell of a shift in away from home, and you make your own luck in the end because we gave our chance to win the game, and that's what we did. Looking at the game, I think if you'd have offered me a draw at the end, at the start, I'd have took it.
DK: As it goes later on in the game, you're thinking, could we nick it? And then we did. So, it's a sign of a good team.
KH: That's the difference this season. I think we've shown that we can grind out results and beat the best of them.
DK: And it's nice to get the first away winner of the new year out of the way early.
KH: Yes, we've been brilliant away from home. We've won a lot of games, so hopefully that continues. This is big. I can't imagine many teams coming here and winning. I think they're going to take points off the team. So, it's a little bit of a marker down for us, and probably proves to everyone that we could be serious contenders.
DK: And it's nice to see Nico get his first start.
KH: Yes, I thought he'd come on and affected the game really well last time out. He scored a good goal.
He looked a threat. He's got good energy and obviously got massive potential. So, hopefully the loan works for both of us.
DK: And Manny came on and made his debut.
KH: Yes, we sort of tried to just thicken the midfield up a little bit. Obviously, they were moving the ball and had quite a bit of possession late on in the game when we were trying to hold on. So, he went on there and got his first start. And again, he's someone that's got massive potential. He's got massive attributes to his game, and hopefully, again, the loan can work for both parties. And obviously, their challenge is to try and get in the team and stay in there, which is difficult when you're coming to a team at the top of the table.
DK: It must be very pleasing that the only real clear shot we had on goal ended up being the winner.
KH: Yes, we sort of huffed and puffed. I think we had a couple of decent chances first. I thought we had the best chances. In fact, I think Tev had one. And Nico, one fell to Nico, where he just didn't connect as well as he would have wanted to. But other than that, yes, we didn't have too much. But you only need one chance. And like I said, it was a great set piece and something we'd spoke about, which makes it even more pleasing.
DK: Did you have confidence that a winner was going to come? Or were you happy with the draw?
KH: I don't know. I think when it gets late, I'd have been happy with a draw. Clean sheet. That's the foundation of winning football matches. But obviously, you hope for a winner. And it comes. So it'd be an easier journey home than it would have been after a draw or a defeat.
DK: Obviously, we've been here before, but you weren't at the club then. So it must be nice to tick off another new ground.
KH: Yeah, another new ground. I've never lost here. I've never lost here. So the pressure's on if we have to come back because we've got a 100% record here at the minute. But it's a big football club, isn't it? You can tell by the crowd. And obviously, we've got good players as well. So that adds to what a performance the lads have put in today. And to take three points back to Needham is massive for us. Look, at the end of the day, they are a good team. But if you've got to remember, we are as well. We're not joint-chopped for no reason. We're winning games of football. We've only lost a handful of games. So as much as it is a really good result for us and performance, they play the team at the top of the table or joint-top of the table. So it was never going to be easy for them. And with us keeping them out and not aiding them to score always left them open to losing because we do have a threat going forward, whether it be from a set-piece or in open play. We've scored goals in one game of football and this is another one to add to that.
DK: Back at Bloomfields next week.
KH: Yeah. Look, obviously, our away record has been unbelievable. So normally it's one of them. Yeah, we want to get back to Bloomfields to try and get points. But we seem to be getting them home anyway. So it's always nice to play at home. Obviously, it means there's no travelling. Obviously, more home support.
But that doesn't mean it's a win. So we have to work just as hard, prepare properly like we will. And we'll be aiming for another three points.
Goalscorer Dan Morphew reflects on the win.
DK: A nice rare goal for you, it must be good.
DM: Yeah, it's been coming a little bit the last couple of weeks, you know, hit the crossbar last week. And yeah, thankfully this week I managed to stretch and get my nose on it and yeah, nudge it in the back of the net. So I've been feeling quite confident attacking corners recently. And Tev's been putting some good balls in, Dylan's been putting some good corners in. So it's about time we scored from 1 really.
DK: Poacher's goal.
DM: Yeah, yeah. Luckily, a great header from Luke in the first place. It's a good save from the keeper and he just patted it straight onto my head. So yeah, just about went in the net and it crept in. Well, I meant to head it in, but the keeper just popped up for me. So it couldn't have been any better really, couldn't have been any better.
DK: What did you think of the game?
DM: I thought it was a tough game, a tough pitch, you know, it was sort of a real battle. They were a good side, I think, I think it's fair to say, and yeah, we sort of dug in deep, defended well. We had a few good chances in the first half and the second half, we didn't really create much. It sort of became a bit of a stalemate in the second half. And then we had a few corners later on and thankfully one of them went in the back of the net.
DK: It's nice to get our first away win done for the new year.
DM: Yeah, yeah. Well, obviously we had Sudbury on new years didn't we? So yeah, it's nice to make up for that in terms of away performances. I think, you know, it's a bit of a classic away performance. Stay tight, don't give anything away and then take your chances when they come. So yeah, it's a good away performance for us.
DK: All the hallmarks of a side that could get promotion.
DM: Yeah, one game at a time, but when you win away games like that one, you sort of start to believe it might be written in the stars at times, don't you? But I don't think too many of the boys are worried about that, to be honest. It's just a nice feeling to be winning games and have that confidence going into every game, thinking you're going to win. So it's a nice thing to have and yeah, long may it continue.
DK: After the disappointment of Tuesday being off, it would be nice to be back at home on Saturday.
DM; Yeah, it was a shame. We're good Tuesday nights under the lights, aren't we? So we're a great Tuesday night side. So it would have been nice to have that game on. But unfortunately, the ref deemed it unplayable. But it would be nice to be back at home in front of our fans on Saturday as well. And hopefully, you know, keep the good home form going. We've been playing really well at home, I think. So hopefully keep that going. And we need to make up for the away performance at Stratford. Obviously, the first game of the season, we had a bit of a mare there away from home, didn't we? So we need to set the record straight. We've got plenty to play for and plenty to put right at Stratford at home.
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