This Saturday I would like to extend a warm welcome to Aylestone Park Football club, their players, supporters and Committee members, I hope that they enjoy our hospitality and have an enjoyable afternoon (with the exception of the result) and have a safe journey back to Leicester.

Our last encounter back in August saw us beat them 2-0 at their ground, the game was very competitive, we just edged home with a little more team experience and a couple of well taken goals, I expect the game this weekend to be played in a similar fashion, their young team play at a high tempo and have a couple of very good young players in the ranks.

After a shaky run of form we seem to have turned the corner a little, with a 6-2 demolition of Borrowash Vics last Saturday and a very good 1-0 mid- week win against Radford FC. Tuesday night’s league cup 3rd round win was particularity pleasing for me, as we did exactly what we was asked to do, against a very strong offensive team, as a defender in a previous life I always loved clean sheets and Milo, Giz, Browny, Courtney and Harry were magnificent in protecting this, our midfield marshalled by Mushy did very well, with Luke taking his game to another level, with challenge after challenge he almost single handedly broke the Radford midfield into pieces. He was accompanied by the creative influence of Joe Hopper and they bossed the midfield for 90 minutes, to cap a fine all round team performance. Our front 3 of Tony, Junior and Mitch worked tirelessly and never allowed their defence to settle ~ Radford can have no complaints after their cup loss.

Over the last two games I have been very impressed with our new striker Junior, his work rate, strength on the ball and direct nature of his play will reap rewards for him and the team, well done lads for a great win on a bitter and wet Tuesday night, I went home a very happy manager!

Our bench on Tuesday highlighted the strength in depth we have, we had Tom Mac (Mackie), Ricky, Dan, Del and Max (GK), last season all of these players would have been starting for me, so we must have improved as a team.

I firmly believe that if we can overcome Aylestone later this week, then we can put a good run together and start to climb this league again, we have a slightly easier January and points hopefully will accumulate as the month progresses.

Please enjoy the game, be vocal and support your team as we try and add another 3

Jonathan Simpson
1st Team Manager