Manager Kevin Horlock reflects on yesterday's trip to Leamington.
DK: A huge win?!
KH: They are all massive, to be fair, but that was a big game. Everyone knew, obviously, coming into it. It was obviously one of our games in hand on Redditch who didn't play today. Leamington, who obviously, in and around the play-offs, want to cement their place in there. So, yeah, it was a massive day. It wasn't a spectacle. The game was a little bit bitty and the pitch was heavy, but the three points on offer were massive for both teams. Obviously, I'm buzzing that we come out with them.
DK: A bit of two-and-throw for both sides in this game. So, would you say the win was a fair result?
KH: I don't know. I think either team could have won it. We've missed a penalty, they've missed a penalty. There wasn't loads of clear-cut chances in the game, but obviously, the one that wasn't in clear-cut, to be fair, was a great finish from Jamie. But the big moment in the game, obviously, upstood Jamie with a bit of magic. I think it was a backheel in the end and he was very good today and I think he deserved that. But they're key moments. They're big moments in games where you need big players to be able to step up and take them. And we did that and I thought we defended really well. And they've had half-chances but couldn't put it in the net. That's the hardest thing to do in football, but we did. So, I don't think I would have grumbled with a point, I would have took a point at the start. But to leave with three is a big bonus.
DK: Yeah, coming away with max points at another team towards the top of the table, it's those that are a marker for the season.
KH: Yeah, we need to back it up. It's obviously one of our games in hand on some of the teams. We've got another game Tuesday, Stratford. So, if we can back that up with another three points, then that puts us in a really strong position.
DK: But Nico going off injured wasn't ideal.
KH: Yeah, not ideal. Obviously, we've got a couple of injuries at the minute with Milzy not back, but I'm hoping he'll be back soon. Yeah, we didn't want to risk it. So, there's no point in going back on. He felt his hamstring. So, I'm hoping it's not too bad and it'll be OK for maybe Tuesday, possibly Saturday. But we'll see.
DK: The way we've been this season, we've been clinical on key moments.
KH: Yeah, I think that's key. I think the biggest thing, I think everyone's aware of it. We don't concede many goals. I think it's 20 goals in 28 games. Six of them was in the first game, so 14 games in 27 games is incredible, really, and that's what gives you the chance. I've said it many times. That gives you a chance to win games 1-0, the tough games, the ones that there's a lot on. It gives you that platform to go and nick a win like we have done today. So, fair play to all the lads. They just never know when they're beat. They grind out results. So, yes, I'm really proud of them and proud to be the manager.
DK: When we haven't really had much opportunity to play our free-flowing football, it makes it even more pleasing.
KH: Yes, I think that's one thing that we've added in this year. We've tried to play a little bit different at times, away from home on tough pitches. We know we can play. Everyone knows we can play. We've played out from the back. We've passed teams to death. We've scored some unbelievable goals. But the bit we were missing maybe last year, the year before, was we couldn't win ugly. We didn't do the ugly side of the game. We didn't leave the ball in areas. We always wanted to overplay. So, we've mixed it up a little bit this year and we're reaping the rewards of that. Yes, I think we've improved massively on that. I think we work a little bit harder as well, but not just harder. I think we work cleverer. I think we pick up second balls, we're in the right areas at the right times. The lads are chasing lost causes and they stick together. They're a proper, proper team. And I don't mean just to start there. The group as a whole, the squad, are real together. I can make changes and know that it's going to improve us if anyone's injured or tired. It's like for like. We're not clutching at straws. So, overall, we're in a really good place. And games are running out. I don't know how many that is we've got left, 12 games left? So, keep ticking them off and keep grinding out results. We want to get as many points as we can and see where that takes us. I think squeaky bum time is there from the very start. You want to test yourself and you want to put pressure on yourself to win as many games as possible. So, squeaky bum time is not now. We're clear at the top and we want to keep winning games. So, we'll embrace that, we'll bring it on and enjoy it and we'll see where it goes. But we've got another massive game on Tuesday.
DK: Yeah, roll on Tuesday. Stratford, which we need to expel the first game of the season.
KH: Yeah, obviously, we want to try and make some of the goal difference up on them. Obviously, they put six by us. I don't think it was a 6-1 game, if I'm totally honest, but it was a tough game. Obviously, we could have scored many ourselves. So, hopefully, we can put that right and obviously get the win on Tuesday. So, hopefully, all the little knocks and bumps will be fine. We'll rest. We've got a couple of days rest in that and then we'll go again Tuesday.
Match winner Jamie McGrath talks about scoring his second in as many games and more.
DK: Two goals in two games now for you, you must be pleased?
JMcG: Yeah, very pleased. I mean, that's always what I want to do, is contribute by scoring goals or in any other way possible really, but obviously it's another massive three points which is the main thing. We knew this was going to be a tough place to come. They're doing well in the league, they're up there. I don't imagine many teams have come here and won, so yeah, I think a draw would have been not a bad result, but obviously we aim to beat everyone that we come up against and thankfully we were able to do that today.
DK: Talk us through your finish.
JMcG: I don't know, I've sort of seen the ball coming across the goal. Obviously my back is to the goal, so I've just tried to get a decent contact on it and sort of flick it around the defender and thankfully it's gone in the bottom corner.
DK: Did you actually know where the goal was?
JMcG: Yeah, I feel like when you're in the six yard box, you always have sort of an awareness of where the goal is. So, yeah, I knew what I was trying to do with it and thankfully I was able to execute it.
DK: And after scoring on Tuesday, it must make you doubly pleased.
JMcG: Yeah, I think so. I mean, it's always nice to back up a goal with another one because I think it builds momentum, it builds confidence. So, yeah, if you're feeling good in front of goal, that's obviously a really important thing.
DK: Do you think your goal came at the best time it could have?
JMcG: Yeah, I guess so. Obviously, it was quite late on in the game and it meant after that we had sort of 10, 15 minutes to defend resolutely, which thankfully we were able to do. Marco made some incredible saves and the back four were as brilliant as they've been all season, heading everything away. And to be fair, the whole team was back there defending. So, real team effort, I think, that last 10, 15 minutes.
DK: Do you think the game reflected a top five clash?
JMcG: Yeah, I suppose so. I don't think we probably played our best football today and they probably would say the same thing, but that made it a real battle. It was quite a physical game. So, I think in terms of how tight it was, then yeah, I guess so. But perhaps there could have been a bit more quality on display.
DK: Tuesday, Stratford at home, need to right some wrongs there.
JMcG: Yeah, it's another massive game. Obviously, like you say, first game of the season didn't go the way we wanted it to at all. But yeah, like you say, hopefully we can put that right. But at the end of the day, it's just another game, another three points up for grabs.
Man Of The Match Marcus Garnham reflects on his double save.
DK: Some big saves from you and a big three points.
MG: Yeah, we won, that's what matters and we all did our jobs and worked hard for each other and then McGrath scored a cracking goal at the end to be fair, like where he just flicked it in far post, which was brilliant. So yeah, I'm really pleased for the boys, really pleased for everyone really. Supporters that have come this way and made a massive noise, which I actually love. So yeah, it's been a great day.
DK: We've just had a vote and you've been given man of the match.
MG: Yeah, well, it's fine, I don't mind. It doesn't really bother me. Appreciate it though, but more importantly, we got three points. That's what matters, that we're winning and helping each other out when we need to, you know. And today it's my turn to be called upon and help out. Normally it's Keiran and Dan just mopping everything up and giving me absolutely nothing to do. And these guys are a good side, Leamington , so they're going to give us problems, especially with the sun and stuff. So yeah, I'm really pleased for the lads. Showed a lot of resilience and dug in.
DK: Talk us through that penalty save.
MG: Couldn't really see the ball, to be fair, to the sun and then just picked the side, saved it, saved the rebound. Happy days, really.
DK: Was that was probably the biggest moment in the game, the double save from that pen?
MG: Yeah, I mean, there's always poignant moments in a game. I mean, if McGrath didn't pull off that flick and score a wonderful goal, we wouldn't be so elated and disappointed, probably. I mean, Leamington are no mugs, they're really good, they're a good side. They're very on the front foot. You know, they're very aggressive in the way they play and you can see why they're up there. But no, all of us done well today and they should be really proud of what they've achieved today.
DK: Yeah, like you say, it extends our lead at the top and an absolute brilliant performance.
MG: Yeah, just, you know, take one game as it comes and enjoy it while it lasts. It won't last forever and just take every game as it comes and just see what happens by the end of the season.
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