John-Paul Williams Post Match Verdict.

KDRAFC Media
Oct 24, 2021
3 min read

Having watched and played in the second team's 4-0 defeat to Alliance One league leaders Horbury Town Reserves. Assistant Manager John-Paul Williams took up media duties and spoke to KDRAFC Media.

Here is what he thought.

On the game itself.

"It's a matter of margins. At half-time, I thought that we were well in it and gave as good as we got. We asked the boys to turn them around as no one likes to defend facing their own goal, and that's what we did, and it was brilliant. Those fine margins make the difference in games. After five minutes, we could have been two-nil up. Ryan (McHale) hits the crossbar, Phil (Turner) shoots just wide, and Brandon (Trower) just misses with a one-on-one."

"The second half was pretty much the same, we had three or four good chances, and on another day, it's a draw, or we even nick it. But that's why Horbury are top of the league. They took their chances, and we didn't, and fair play to them."

On the team's battling spirit.

"I totally agree with that, and it's probably the best forty-five minutes opening half of football I have seen us play in a long time. As has been said before, we have to remember that this is a very young team we are fielding. We had a little mixture of experience today with Ryan (McHale) and Graham (Cowgill) which certainly helped, but the younger players are really stepping up now, which I am so impressed by. It's a big step up to play in the top Alliance league, especially as none of them played in the second division."

"We also have to remember that these lads haven't played at Under 18 or 21 levels. They have come straight from Under 16's football into adult football, and we saw that they are adapting well with Kieran (Arnett) standing up for himself after a nasty foul and Sam (Briggs) putting in a shift where ever we asked him to play on the pitch. Taylor (Maxwell) is another player who never lets us down and had a superb half today. Their attitudes are just what we need, and they will all be a big part of the club in years to come. I think it's safe to say that if it wasn't for them and the other youngsters who have played, then we would be in a different position, so they should all hold their heads up high."

On the consistency issue with team selection.

"It doesn't help, especially at this level. We saw Joe (Turley) and James (Woodward) play last week, and we were lucky that we can give them minutes on their return from injuries, but due to numbers with the first team, they were called back up which happens."

"It's not just a Rangers thing, it's happening to teams all over where they are struggling for players. We speak to opposition managers, and it's the same story, Veteran players are helping their Reserve teams out, or youngsters are being drafted in straight away where normally you would ease them in gradually."

"I think there has been a little more consistency over the last two weeks, and to have been able to name five subs today was pleasing. We do have numbers to come back. It may not seem like it at the moment, but I honestly think there were a lot of positives to take from the game. I'm really happy with the way we are progressing, and if we can replicate how we played in the first half in all our matches, I think we will get there."

On playing Beeston St Anthony's Reserves next weekend.

"We have played Horbury today who are top of the league, and you can see why as they took their chances, but based on the performance we have produced, we don't need to fear anyone, and that's what we have told the lads after the game. We maybe need to be a little smarter, and braver in the box. We seem to be a little too friendly in the box and want to pass rather than shoot, which sometimes is pleasing, but sometimes you just need that greedy person to shoot. It will come, and then results will start to fall our way."

John-Paul Williams is sponsored by Wetherby Watches.