Tuesday, 26 November 2024

REACTION | Kevin Horlock, Jacob Lay Post Match Interview | Leamington V Needham Market | 26.11.2024 |

Manager Kevin Horlock reflects on last night's win at Leamington.

DK: A big win tonight and well deserved.

KH: Yeah, massive tonight. Obviously, the pleasing thing is the performance. Obviously, the three points are massive for us. We all know the run we've been on, but fair play to the lads. It's very difficult to stick to your beliefs and keep working hard when things ain't going right, but credit to the lads. I think we've come here tonight and anyone that's watched the game, we deserve all three points and no one can grumble. So it was an excellent performance and it's important now. It's been a long time coming. Three points are really valuable to us and it's about backing it up now and I think tonight we've showed again that we can mix it at this level, but we just need to do it on a more consistent basis. 

DK: After an even first half, we were dominant in the second and well earned that.

KH: Yeah, I think first half we come with the mindset of being difficult to beat, but matching what they had and second half we spoke about getting the ball down and playing. I think we did that. We played the majority of the second half in their defensive half. So it was pleasing. We defended so well. First contacts, we won second balls and we looked a threat tonight, and on another night, we could have probably had a couple more.

DK: An important penalty from Luke to win the game, as well as the spot-kick, dispatching it in style. 

KH: Yeah, and again, fair play to him. I think he missed the last season, probably won't thank me for reminding him to win the penalty and then have the composure to get up and dispatch it was massive from him. It showed a lot of character. But the lads, I thought they were brilliant all across the pitch.
Subs that come on made an impact as well. So it was an excellent away performance and we want more of them. Yeah, you alluded to it there. They've done ever so well. They've obviously come up to the division as well with us last year and they've got points on the ball. So people will say, oh, you've only beat someone that's come up with you, but these are doing all right. They're mid-table, got 22 points, I think. So to come here on a Tuesday night and perform like that and get three points is good from the boys. Very good.  

DK: And you said on Saturday about aspiring to replicate how Leamington have started their season, arguably playing them off their own pitch in the second half. 

KH: Yeah, look, there's fine margins in this division. They're obviously, I don't know what it is now, seven points above us, but they've had a good start.
But anybody can beat anybody. And on our day, we're capable of beating any team in this division, but we're just not consistent enough and made little errors. But tonight I thought we were excellent.
So it's all about the positives tonight and we want this to roll into training on Thursday and then into our next league game. Yeah, made a couple of changes tonight, freshened up the team and it worked. Yeah, we've got a squad of players that all want to start. Some haven't been given as many minutes as others. So I think tonight was the night where we've put another couple of fresh legs in, in wide areas, in Jacob and Milzy, and I thought it paid off. I thought they worked really hard, made runs in behind and obviously we put Lukey down the middle, his physical presence, his ability to win aerial battles and win headers and flick-ons, I thought worked really well tonight. 

DK: And on Saturday, Scarborough at home? 

KH: A tough one. Obviously, we've not won nearly enough games at home. So we want it to be a bit of a fortress. And again, I said to the lads, we were excellent tonight and we could be excellent on Saturday like we were tonight and maybe not win. So that's how small the margins are. I don't think Scarborough want a great run themselves. So we'll be looking forward to it and hopefully we can build on what we've got tonight. 

DK: It'll be a bit of a Manchester derby rivalry in the dugouts with you and Jonathan Greening in theirs? 

KH: Well, yeah, I suppose a little bit. He's way above me. I think he's got a Champions League medal and everything. So he's a good lad, Jono. I've done my A licence with Jono. He's a great lad and he's done a great job at Scarborough. So hopefully he continues to do a great job, but just not on Saturday.

Jacob Lay reflects on yesterday's win.

DK: Brilliant win on the road and brilliant performance from you all

JL: Yeah, all the lads put in a great shift on the back of not a great run. But all the lads really dug deep today and we deserved the win, 100%.
I think you can say we like this ground. We've done a double over them last year and this year, same again. Yeah, it's great for the lads and hopefully we can just kick on from here.
I think the first half was good as well. I think we set a good base. I think we've done that a lot last year.
We set a good base and then we had something to fight for in the second half. All the lads just upped it another 5-10%. I think it really started to show our quality and what we're capable of.
So hopefully we can just do that some more. 

DK: Yeah, what pleased you most about tonight? 

JL: I think everyone just wanting it more and wanting to get on the ball. I think tonight's performance was a lot like what we saw last year, really. We kept winning games. We played in areas when we had to and we got the ball down and played and moved it well. Hopefully we can keep carrying on and do more of the same.

DK: And Saturday, back at home against Scarborough? 

JL: Yeah, another big game. It won't be easy. I think we should know that by now. Hopefully we can now kick on. Hopefully we've done well tonight. Hopefully we can do it again on Saturday and really start to pick up our form.

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REACTION | Tevan Allen, Kevin Horlock Post Match Interviews | Needham Market v Scarborough Athletic | 30.11.2024 |

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