Manager's Reaction - Leeds Modernians Reserves

KDRAFC Media
May 10, 2021
3 min read

Following a narrow 1-0 defeat against league leaders Leeds Modernians Reserves, Manager Kris Macdonald spoke to KDRAFC TV. Here is what he had to say.

On the game itself:

"We were unlucky to some extent, but I don't think that either team really did enough to win the game, and a draw would have been a fairer result. We started well for the first ten minutes and got the ball out to good areas, but the final pass wasn't great. We didn't get control of the game until the sixty/sixty-five minute mark, and when we did, they didn't have a kick, but at the same time, we never really created a stand-out chance."

"They are the best team that we have played this season, and there are positives to take from this match. If we win our remaining four or five games, I think we will be looking to finish in the top two."

On the changing of the league table, teams dropping out and the effects on preparation:

"It's always difficult to plan, especially being the Reserves. We are here to support the first team to a certain extent, and we realise that we have to take players and give them minutes. Today it has really worked for us as we have a lot of players who have played Saturday and Monday for four weeks, and they been struggling, so it was good to be able to rest them and give serious minutes to the players who are coming back from injury and need fitness."

"With teams pulling out of the league, especially with only a few games left, it makes it hard to plan. It obviously reflects on the league table as points and goal differences change. As a result, there is a different outlook at the end of it which can be a little demoralising."

On the news that the Tingley Athletic Reserves game would need a replay:

"It's another game for us which is the main thing. I don't think it will affect in many other ways. We were in control of the game when it was abandoned, and I would like to hope that with the same lads again, we can go back to Tingley and get the three points. I'm hoping that we won't be forced into a midweek match against them and that the league will look at the distance and original circumstances and issue a Saturday match."

How Sean Dawson, Ben Challenger and Kieran Arnett have settled into the squad:

"They have all done really well and are all great additions. Ben has been superb and offers us a lot in defence. You have touched on Kieran, who is the youngest player in our squad by a couple of years and has looked lively when he comes on, does the right thing with the ball and looks like a threat. Sean is the same, he never allows the opposition to settle and is always at them, which is what we need, and it's great that we have them. I want to mention Jack Cheetham as well, who has had a couple of years away from us and has come back and been absolutely brilliant for us."

"The whole club is going in the right direction, and as we have discussed before, I have been here for thirty-five years, and this is definitely the strongest second team squad that I have ever seen, and that's credit to the first team having such good players as well."

Next week's home game against East End Park Reserves:

"It will be a different challenge because they are a very physical team, and that's how they play football, they suit that type of game, and they always play to their strengths. We'll try not to get involved in any of that and play our style, get settled on the ball and play the way we know we can. We will certainly have to match their work rate, but that's what I ask the players to do against any team we play."

Kris Macdonald is sponsored by: