Manager Kevin Horlock reflects on today's win over AFC Sudbury.
DK: Very comfortable win, you must be very pleased.
KH: Yes, especially off the back of our last result. It was an important game for us. Sudbury, obviously, we had a few wrongs to put right in terms of probably our worst performance of the season over the Christmas period away at Sudbury, where we lost. So we wanted to put that right. But more importantly, we just want to get as many points on the board to try and get out of this division. So these three points are as valuable as any of the others we've got.
DK: And to go into the break 2-0 up was a great start.
KH: Yes, the timing of the goals was really good.
Obviously, the first one settled us right down and put them on the back foot. Obviously, then they have to come out a little bit more. And the timing of the second, I think, was the last kick of the half, I think.
We don't often get them, but we have today and it made it a comfortable second half. We were on cruise control for long parts of it. And obviously, the third goal was a really good goal. Being greedy, you want more, but I take that 3-0. Another clean sheet. Defensively, we've been unbelievable this season.
So all round, it was a good day for us.
DK: Second game on the track now, where Seth's came on and within a couple of minutes, he's been straight in with a goal or provided the pen.
KH: Yes, that's what I get paid for, making substitutions like that. I'm joking. Look, Seth's improved massively. He's still a young lad and from where he was a year and a half ago, he's come on leaps and bounds and now starting to reach his potential. He could still go, obviously, a lot higher, in my opinion. He's stronger. He buys fouls.
He runs the channel. He looks after the ball and scores goals as well. So he's got a bright future ahead of him.
DK: And that finish will probably be one of his most difficult ones, maybe, because he's kind of off-balance, awkward angle.
KH: Which one was that? Did he score, did he?
Oh yes, sorry, yes. I didn't realise I'd put him on that early, yes. To be fair, it was a great save from Bradders, to be fair. He's got it up onto the crossbar, but being a striker, Seth's there sniffing, that's one thing he does. He's a goal threat. He's always in between the posts and leaning back slightly, he's got a good connection on it. It was a big goal, actually. It took the steam out of Sudbury. And obviously, going out in the second half, we just had to do the ugly stuff well and we were going to win the game. We kept the ball and run the legs off. Obviously, they played Saturday as well, so I knew they'd be feeling it as well a little bit late on. So I'm glad the game was put to bed and out of sight by the time we started the second half.
DK: Milzy got scoring underway, near enough, in the exact same minute he scored against us in the New Years.
KH: Yeah, he's got a habit of scoring against his previous team, so I'm glad he's done that today. He's scored a couple of goals for us now and that's an important goal. Early on in the game, took the nerves out of us and settled everybody down. So I'm not sure how it happened. I think he got across the near post and got a little flick on it and maybe caught Bradz a little bit on his heels a little bit. But yeah, it was a nice time to score and I thought we were good today. We've had it being scintillating and a free-flowing game. I thought we dominated and there was only ever going to be one winner.
DK: Would you describe the performance as excellent?
KH: Yeah, look, it was professional. We're about winning games of football and trying to get out of the division and we want to be champions, so there's pressure that comes with that. So to get the goals, like I say, today and win comfortably in the end, we were keeping it at will and it looked like we could have probably opened them up and scored more. But it wasn't to be, but from start to finish, it was a really solid performance. When people from the outside, no doubt, were looking at it as a potential banana skin, Sudbury fighting for their lives, desperate for the points and I think we showed why we're top of the league and the gap was quite clear for everyone to see.
DK: Yeah, you mentioned about second half, Dylan scoring with an absolute brilliant volley and you said about wanting more goals. That's the only real thing that you can come away thinking we could've improved on?
KH: Yeah, we've got in good areas and opened them up and either the finish or the final pass maybe just wasn't as good as it could have been or should have been. But I'm not going to sit here and criticise the team that have been fighting from the second game in of the season to where we are now. We're getting close, we're edging closer. Obviously, no doubt, whilst certainly we'll be, but I suppose everyone will be looking at Mickleover's result today. We're trained Thursday, no matter what they do today and we're prepared properly and we're going to get another three points on Saturday. Our home form's been really good. It's a bit of a fortress, so we're going into that like we do every game, full throttle and try to win the game. And if Saturday's the game where we finally get over the line, then so be it. If it's not, then we'll keep going to try and get as many points as we can.
DK: And at the other end, Marco made a few really good saves, but overall was watching it?
KH: Yeah, he was a bit of a spectator. I think he's had a couple of saves. Joe Neal, I think, and Ben Hunter had a shot, but I think they were quite routine saves. I don't expect Marco to get beat from there. He's a top, top keeper, so he had a couple of saves, but nothing too much to mention.
DK: And you mentioned about the possibility of getting it done on Saturday, but if not, we can get it done next Tuesday.
KH: Yeah, we want to get over the line as soon as we can. We want to get the highest points total we can possibly get. So, we're not going to be going into games thinking we haven't got to work as hard because this group, mentally, are really strong. They're as fit as anybody in the division and we can play. So, we'll be going into every game for three points and hopefully one of the weekends is going to have to be the weekend that we do it. So, we're just prepared properly and we'll see. We'll see the results today and then we'll see where we are, but nothing changes. We're not going to approach a game any different to how we have done all season. I'd love to have won it today. I'd love to have won it last week, as soon as possible, really, but that's not so that we can take the foot off. We've worked so hard, this group, the staff, have worked so hard to get where we are and we want to get over the line as soon as possible.
But that ain't a time to then stop. We want to show why we're at the top and win as many points and games as we can. You're always looking forward.
You're always preparing for the season after. You don't really get much respite to sit and enjoy it all. In my head, already thinking about the game next Saturday, already thinking about ahead and the possibilities of what we've got to do going forward.
So, it's good times. Like I've said many an interview on, I'm privileged to manage this group of players because they're a special group and they're a good team.
DK: And lastly, you mentioned we've got Royston at home on Saturday. A side that do give us a difficult game?
KH: Yeah, to be fair, no-one really rolls over and lets you win. And Royston, we've had a few ding-dongs in the past and there's normally been a lot of goals scored. So, it's a game that we look forward to, like we're at home. So, no doubt we're favourites, but it won't be easy. No games are. But we'll be ready and we'll be prepared and we'll be going for the three points.
Goalscorer and MOTM Dylan Williams gives his thoughts on today's win.
DK: Nice 3-0 win, you must be happy with that.
DW: Yeah, huge three points, huge six points over the Bank holiday weekend. Massive. I think we need four more points now, is it, to wrap up? To wrap up, really depending on Mickleover's result, but yeah, huge. Boys were class.
DK: Talk us through your goal.
DW: It was a nice little cut back from Tev and I've seen it bouncing, just struck it on the half-volley, caught it clean. In you go.
DK: One of the best goals you scored?
DW: Yeah, it's the only goal this season I think I've scored with my right foot. Everything else has been with the left foot, so it's finally good to get that off.
DK: Well, your third goal of the season, you finally got it with your best foot.
DW: Exactly that, mate. No, no, I'm happy with it. Yeah, happy with the goal. But like I say, yeah, we needed that third goal just to wrap things up and seal the three points. But more importantly, the lads were class. Great three points.
DK: Yeah, icing on the cake on a comfortable day.
DW: Exactly that. Hot day as well. Very hot day. I think towards the end, everyone looked leggy. Them as well. They played Saturday and obviously today, so that's even tougher for them. But yeah, we were a bit lucky that we played Friday and then today, which helped a little bit. But out in the heat was tough.
DK: Yeah, for Kev and Tom to name an unchanged side, for you lads to boss it all around the park, it's very good.
DW: Yeah, no, exactly. Yeah, no, the lads were superb all around the pitch.
DK: And moving on to Saturday, Royston, like you say, if results go our way, that COULD be the day.
DW: Yeah, we just got to keep focusing on our games. That's all we can do. Royston, will be a tough game. It always is. Real tough experienced side and that'll be a proper battle of the game. So we'll go on to that, yeah.
DK: You'll almost be able to travel down with them.
DW: Yeah, exactly that. They're down the road from me. Local one.
DK: Considering they're local to you, do you know many of their lads?
DW: I know a couple. Yeah, I do know a couple. (it'll be the) same as every fixture really. Same as every fixture. Because you've been in this league long enough, you know most of the opponents from the other teams now.
DK: Is it getting more excruciating the closer we're getting?
DW: Yeah, I think a few of us, myself included, tried not to think about it and just kept trying to tick off the wins. But now it's like, you can't not think about it. Do you know what I mean?
DK: Have you actually managed to stop thinking about it all season? Are you sure about that?
DW: No, we've tried our best and just tried to focus on what we can do.
DK: What was the talk like at full time in the changing room?
DW: Yeah, Kev and Tom just pleased. Really pleased. It got scrappy at times. And maybe last year we would have crumbled a bit under some pressure or how scrappy it was. But this year we can win pretty and we can win ugly.
DK: Yeah, there were times in games where we had found our feet, let them have a bit of possession, albeit they didn't really do much with it and kept going on like that.
DW: Yeah, definitely. I think this year we can sit back and let teams, if we want, have the ball and try and create chances because we've been so solid all year, especially at home.
Goalkeeper Marcus Garnham also reflects on today's game.
DK: Nice six points over the Easter weekend, you must be happy with that.
MG: Yeah, the lads have done well. Good performances. You know, just grinding out when we need to and sitting in when we have to. Yeah, just kind of doing what we need to to get through games. You know, when you're winning on a regular basis, it's easy when you're in that cycle. If you think this time last year, I mean, some of the lads would have given their left arm to try and get six points over the Easter weekend. Do you know what I mean? We were struggling to get anything. So, you know, the flip side of that this year, we've kept a similar team, we're settled. We've brought in three, four new players. You know, they've settled in well and it just shows that we were... Kev kept saying last year that we were really close last year to being a really, really good side and we were just, you know, just that extra little couple of percent away from winning games and stuff. And, you know, he kept the faith, we believed in what he said and he's brought in a few players and it shows this year. You know, we've gone from strength to strength. Yeah, Tommy Smith, left back's been superb. Tev, legs in midfield, having Hammy in midfield as well has been really, really good. Reece brings that experience. McGrath's kind of grown into his position. You know, a bit more experience. Same with Seth. Another year at this level, you know, he's shown a bit more maturity in his play. Who else have we got? Jacob Lay's settled in really well. Who else have we got? I need to mention before they get upset. Another winger. Have we got another winger? Did we get another winger? Nah, nah.F**k it, f**k everyone else. I know we've got, you know, people playing out of position. We've done alright, you know. There's games where, you know, we've ridden our luck, but you make your own luck, I think, when you play football. So, everyone deserves the plaudits to be fair. Everyone's played their part this year when they're called upon. So, yeah.
DK: Yeah, it's probably been the most comfortable Easter weekend you've probably had in goal, is it?
MG: Yeah, the boys have done very well. Hitchin didn't really have much going for them. They didn't really have any shots on goal, really. You know, Sudbury, obviously, local derby, they're fighting for their lives. You know, Sudbury are, I think, in the league, you are where you are because of how good you are. The league doesn't lie in the season. However, I think they're better than their position. I think, personally.
They've got some good players there. The manager's got them playing some good stuff. But it's hard when you're down there. When you're down there, it's tough and, you know, you huff and puff and things don't break for you. You know? So, we've had goals this year. Freak goals that have gone in that, this time last year, would have done the same thing they would never have gone in. Do you know what I mean? Like Ingers from 50 yards out against whoever it was in the right hand cormer, hit it over the goalkeeper in the top corner. That wouldn't have gone in last year. We've had others that have just, you know, deflections, all sorts of... When you're down there, you don't get the rub of the green. This year, we're trying to capitalise on those situations. Yeah, we've done really well and I'm really proud of everyone. To be fair, all the lads are doing their jobs and doing their roles the best they can and everyone's in it together, which is really nice to see.
DK: Yeah, like the goals today, well taken, but probably go wide in the post last year.
MG: Yeah, I mean, it's just minute details. We're hitting side nettings now and it comes so much easier when you've got confidence. You don't think about sticking in that corner. You just go, right, I'm going to stick it in that corner and it's done. Last season, we probably would have taken an extra, you know, half a second. It would have been closed down. We would have hit the post. There's fine margins, you know. We've still got a little way to go. We've just got to keep positive and not get too carried away because we've still got a job to do and just enjoy it while it lasts. It's nice to be on the crest of the wave compared to the last couple of years. It's been quite tricky in the league, especially, to try and keep positive. It's been great to have them cup runs in the past few years. Brilliant. Some fantastic memories. But it's nice to just have a positive sort of season in the league for a change, which is nice. We've got to look after ourselves and not worry about anyone else. That's football. No one's going to give you a leg up to help you out. So we've got to be ruthless and hopefully they'll pick up some points over the next few weeks because they're a nice club. They're a great club and I had some brilliant memories there. It'd be a shame to see them go down but they've got a fair bit of quality so I'm surprised. So hopefully, fingers crossed for them that they can find a way out of their situation.
DK: How does it feel to know that we need at most Five points to win the title?
MG: I think you've got to take every game as it comes and just enjoy every moment but continue to work hard. That's the most important thing. Don't rest on your laurels and think oh, we've done it. We haven't. It's not over. No. Mickleover are still in with a shout. They need to win their games. We need to win our games. We've got to give them no opportunities to catch up with us. That's our job. I'll worry about keeping them out and making sure I'm ready for every game when I'm called upon. I'm the same with the rest of the lads. They've got to focus on their jobs and make sure they do everything right and everything in their power to make sure that we get them opportunities to put them away and to get ourselves over the line hopefully in the next few weeks, hopefully.
DK: Having been promoted a few times across your career, does it make it a bit easier?
MG: It's not easier at all. You just can't get carried away. It's not done. Mathematically, it's not done. Nothing's done. We're in a good position. Mickleover are in a good position. The teams in the playoffs are in a good position. Anything can happen. Freak things happen in the last few weeks of the season. The bottom teams beat the top teams all the time. But we need to go in with a mentality that we're going to do everything we can to not have those situations happen. It's not done at the end of the day. People in the bar and stuff are really excited. It's great to see the atmosphere. However, it's not done. So we need to keep working hard. Until literally it's mathematically impossible for anything else to happen, then we can relax. Until that moment, we've got to keep working hard and doing our jobs and mixing it up, playing when we can, going long when we have to, battling, being combative. That's really important. It's great to have this positivity around the club, but let's not get carried away. We are two, three games away from it being on the flip side. So don't get carried away. Just do our jobs. Work hard. And hopefully, we'll get ourselves over the line.
DK: A lot of the lads have said that they've not looked at the table at all all season. Are you one of them?
MG: Yeah, I don't like to check. I just like to worry about myself. I can't control that. I remember a few coaches have had us control the controllable. So control the things that you can. I can't control what other results other teams have. So there's no point in worrying about what they're doing. Yeah, you check their scores from time to time to see how they're getting on. However, we can only do what we do.
And that's the most important thing. We can affect what's on our pitch. We can't affect what other teams do in their matches. So it's really important to not get carried away.
DK: And that's the good thing, like you say, that it is in our hands.
MG: It is in our hands. But it can be taken out of our hands if we're not too careful and we get carried away, get complacent. And we've got to be ruthless. And in the next few weeks, hopefully we'll see how much the boys want it. And that will put us in a good position hopefully by the end of the season.
DK: How much would it mean to get this over the line?
MG: It'd be great, wouldn't it? But I'm not going to get carried away. You know me. Until it's done, I'm not going to get carried away. I'm going to keep saying the same thing. I'm not going to come in here and say, oh, it's done, it's not. So until the mathematician calls me up and says it's not going to be possible anymore for them to get more points, then I'm not going to worry about it. I'm going to worry about every game as they come and go from there and then see what we can affect on the pitch and not worry about anyone else.
It's mathematically not finalised yet, is it? So it's nothing at the moment, isn't it? We're in a good position, but we're not. So it means nothing right now. If anything, it's just I've still got a job to do. And until the job's done, then I can enjoy the fruits of our labour. But until we've done the job, then we can't say anything, really. And we just need to keep working hard. It's as simple as that.
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