Manager Kevin Horlock reflects on yesterday's friendly against Maldon.
DK: Good game today, what do you make of it?
KH: Yeah, it was probably quite a good game to watch in terms of us. Obviously, there's loads of stuff we can be better at. I think first half we were a little bit passive in terms of sitting off, but second half I thought we stepped on a little bit and showed that we were obviously a couple of levels above. Scored two good goals. We have picked up a couple of knocks, Dylan's ankle. Milzy was struggling with a chest infection. That on top of the lads we're already missing today. I'm quite pleased with the outcome. I think we've got minutes in the legs of players. We kept a clean sheet, which is always pleasing. I don't think Dan or Marco even had to really make a save. Certainly in defensive areas we were really good. I just wanted a little bit more aggression, a little bit more willingness to run forward and create chances, which I think we did better in the second half. It was a hot day and obviously in Maldon, they've got players that have played at a higher level. So, it probably isn't a true reading on them as a club. I know they've played Step 4, but they have got lads that played higher. So, it was a good test for us. It was a good test and like I said, we've got through it and got minutes in the legs for the lads. It's a little bit unfortunate that Dylan's ankle was swollen up, but we'll assess it and see how we are for Tuesday.
DK: Like you said, two really good goals, one in each half.
KH: Yes, look, it was a difficult day for Seth actually, because obviously they've got a bit of experience. Lads that have played league football at centre half. He was knocked about. He was a little bit isolated at times, but I don't mind it because that will happen this year in the Conference North. He will have to be physical. So, he dug in and worked hard and it was tough for him at times. Again, he's come through the 90 minutes and got another goal. So, that shows you where Seth's at. He's improving all the time and he can mix it up now. So, that was a real pleasing point and Ingers' goal was a great strike. We've seen Ingers do that a number of times. So, hopefully that bodes us well for the start of the season.
DK: We controlled possession quite well across both halves.
KH: Yeah, we did at times and again, they looked dangerous at times as well. But I've not got complaints with us keeping possession. I think we did it quite well. Certainly, the second half was better. But when we get into the final areas, final third, I don't know, a little bit more risk and reward and a little bit more goal would have probably seen us score more goals. But we'll take it. It's two goals. It's a clean sheet and like I say, minutes in the legs. So, we roll on to Tuesday.
DK: Like you said, we had a few missing today. I think Jacob injured, Harley injured, Hamo ill, Patch ill and then Ben Hunter is away.
KH: Yeah, so we've got five. What is it, five? You just rolled off. Five first team members missing, which didn't leave us sure. Obviously, we've still got lads. We've still got 16 here today, but you miss them. They're lads that obviously have played a lot of football over the last couple of years since I've been here. So, yeah, they're hopefully going to be back Tuesday. And we'll have a much fuller squad than we did today. But again, fingers on the pulse. We're obviously open to bringing a couple in and adding to the group and adding quality to the group.
DK: Any closer with the trialists?
KH: Over the next three, four, five days, things will be clear on where we're at and what the squad's shaping up to be.
DK: Moving on to Tuesday, another side that we play regularly in pre-season, in Brightlingsea.
KH: Yeah, a bit of a tough game. Generally, work really hard. Generally, quite physical. So, it's just giving the lads different variations of what we might see this season and come up against this season. So, it'd be a good test for us. And again, we'll have to step up to the plate and be counted. So, that's why we play them, they're fairly local as well. So, it should be a good game.
DK: What have you made of pre-season so far overall?
KH: It's been okay. So, it's been, like I said, it's about getting minutes in the legs. But it's also having a look at... We're obviously looking at trialists. We're trying a few little things out. We've played opposition, obviously, in Braintree that are above us. We've today played Maldon that are below us, Felixstowe that are below us. We've won a couple of games, lost one, but I don't mind that. It's all about playing different opposition so that when you come to start the season, you're prepared and you've faced a lot of different scenarios in terms of individuality and as a team. So, that's the whole point of pre-season.
Defender Dan Morphew reflects on yesterday's friendly.
DK: Good win, what do you make of it?
DM: Yeah, pre-season's pre-season, so it's all about minutes in the tank, miles in the legs, so to speak. So I think we had a good workout today, it's nice and hot, so everyone got a good sweat out. And yeah, good performance all around, things are never brilliant in pre-season, everyone's working it out, getting those relationships going and getting back up to speed. So I think we made a good progress from Tuesday, it's better than Tuesday, so trending in the right direction.
DK: Overall, it's been a decent pre-season so far?
DM: Yeah, it's been a bit here and there for me, I've missed a few, missed the odd match, missed the odd training session, so now hopefully looking to lock in and I think the same with the rest of the boys, just wanting to lock in and get ready for August the 10th, which seems very close.
DK: Solid at the back today, again, and pinging those diags?
DM: Yeah, yeah, that's what we're about, we're always solid at the back hopefully, so hopefully we'll continue to be known for that in the year coming up. It's always nice to hit a long pass when it's on, so I never turn it down if it's on.
DK: What do you make of the fixtures so far?
DM: I've not looked much past the first three, I looked at Christmas Day and Boxing Day, but other than that I've not really paid too much attention. So yeah, I'm not really too fussed, it is what it is, the journeys are going to be long regardless of where we're going, we know that already, so I'm not too worried about it, just looking forward to the season starting really.
DK: Another good side coming here on Tuesday in Brightlingsea as well.
DM: Yeah, yeah, I'm sure Brightlingsea will be up for it as well, it'll be another good game hopefully, another good run out for us and a good test is what we want, we want teams to come here and give their all and give us a good workout, so hopefully Brightlingsea do that and hopefully we're up for the task and beat them as well, fingers crossed.
DK: Having got the fixtures now, does it make it more surreal that we're now step two?
DM: Yeah, I think, again I've not focused on it too much, it's just a nice feeling to know that you're going to be competing at that level and I'm just looking forward to the season really. I'm optimistic and I want things to go well and I'm looking forward to them going well, so that's what I'm focused on, really having a good year and cementing us as a step two side, fingers crossed.
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