Manager Kevin Horlock reflects on today's away win.
DK: Brilliant win on the road, you must be pleased with that?
KH: Yeah, it was a great performance from the lads, I couldn't ask any more of them. I thought they worked their socks off, they stuck to the game plan and obviously the goals were really pleasing. Could have had more, obviously they've conceded last 15 and probably a little bit of nerves out there but we've seen it out, seen it through and it's a monkey off our back as such. We've got our first win now, moved up a couple of places now, something to build on.
DK: Yeah, both goals were clinically taken as well!
KH: Yeah, they were great goals, something we spoke about, pressing high, getting numbers in the box and obviously when you do that, you're going to create chances. So, credit to the lads, they've carried out the game plan to a 'T.' It was a big ask, obviously we went to a diamond and changed formation today and it asked a lot of the lads, we're asking for lads to be covering the pitch and making runs forward for as long as they can, which then we have to make changes but I thought everybody contributed today so it was really pleasing.
DK: We also scored at crucial times, at the start and the end of the first half and then otherwise defensively looked sound?
KH: Yeah, I know the results don't probably tell the full picture. We've been okay, we've not won games but we've been in every game and could have got a lot more points than we have, barring Alfreton where we deserved nothing, I think in the other games we deserved more than we got. So, today I think we got what we deserved, I think we deserved the three points. So, I'm hoping that I give the lads a lift and now believe that they belong at this level and hopefully we can create a few more upsets as such and collect more points than we have and going forward we'll be looking to climb the table and improve our position. We're missing big players for us, the lads that started the majority of games for us last season. So, missing players isn't ideal but I've got a squad that I believe can compete at this level and they all in their own right can play at this level. So, ideally you want all your players available but when they're not other lads have to step in and make a difference and obviously Marco, we lost Marco today in the warm-up and Danny Cullum's travelled with us. Then he got thrust in straight into the start and line-up and I thought he did really, really well. So, credit to him for one, travelling to do the warm-up with Marco but then two, to give the performance that he did. Dylan's ankle was still sore so he didn't train Thursday so he was not available.
Luke's hamstring is still sore so I imagine he's going to be probably another 10 days at least and Hammo's has settled down slightly but again didn't train Thursday. So, I think we'll have to assess it. They won't be involved on Tuesday but we'll assess it Thursday when we train.
DK: Yeah, moving on, we're at Hereford next.
KH: Yeah, like I said to the lads in there, they don't get no easier. There's no easy games at this level. I think all the games have been fairly tight but you have to work to your maximum. You have to show quality in front of goal and defend for your lives to get anything from any game at this level. No-one rolls over you. So, we'll dust ourselves down. There's going to be some tired legs now and this evening but we'll prepare properly and give it a good go on Tuesday.
Goalscorer and MOTM Tevan Allen reflects on today's win.
DK: Nice to get a win on the board.
TA: Yeah, I think it's been coming. We said all together that it's not been the greatest. I think from the last game, we were a bit hurt from the last game. It was Alfreton at home, that loss, I think we didn't give a great account of ourselves. And like I said, in the Scunthorpe game, I think every other game we've tried to give a good account of ourselves. And I think Monday we didn't do that. So we had to have a bounce back. The win's been coming. Like I said, sometimes we haven't really got the rub of the green. I think today it wasn't about rub of the green. I think we just worked our absolute butts off for each other. And I think that came into fruition.
The fact that we got the win, went 2-0 up, away from home. I think it reminded us a bit of last season. I think the way we worked real hard first half, got to where we needed to be.
We were under the cosh a little bit second half. But luckily we got through the game on a hot day. Good opponents.
They're not necessarily going to be down there. So I think we've done really well today.
DK: And to get a goal and assist is even better for you personally?
TA: Yeah, I think also it's been coming from myself.
I'm an honest man. I think I've been really below par. I think trying to get to grips with the league and the position I play in at the moment. It's been tough because some of the games, people don't really get it down and play. Opposition wise, it does go back to front quite quickly. And being in the 10, sometimes the ball can just kind of go over your head, but I think today with the shape, change of the shape, getting closer to the two strikers that we had allowed me to then be in a pocket to receive the ball and do what we had to do. So I'm glad to get first goal in this level, assist. It's what I dreamed of, really. So, yeah, glad to finally do it. And yeah, good win.
DK: You struck that goal sweetly as well.
TA: Yeah, I was just saying to Jacob, I can't really ever remember goals. I know how it came about. It was a hard working endeavour. The ball was bouncing around in the box and I just saw an opportunity to hit it. So I thought, why not? And luckily, I think it went through someone's legs. I have no idea. I'd have to watch it back if they have got a video of it. But yeah, just when it went in, it was just relief, really, to go one away from home. It's a great feeling, travelling all this way to finally get a goal felt good. No, no alarm bells aren't ringing, not just yet. Yeah, it's good. Like it's another step up for me. Never played in this level. And yeah, it's another season to prove that. Although where I've played previously, like I can score goals if I'm allowed to have that freedom and play in that position. I think, yes, it's time to show people that I can do that. And I've done it last year. Six in the league, four in the cup. It's not a massive amount of numbers, but you can always improve. So to get one as early as this in the season, it's really pleasing, and hopefully I can get many more.
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