Published: 01-10-2011

Programme Notes v Boreham Wood

Written by Steve Bateman

Manager Steve Bateman

On the squad front, we bid farewell to Steve Smith, who rejoins Aylesbury FC, this time as a somewhat surprising joint Manager, and I must say I never saw that one coming.

Steve Bateman

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to Holloway's Park for today's FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round encounter against our visitors, Boreham Wood, who currently lie 2 levels above ourselves in the Conference South. I hope Ian and his players enjoy their brief stay with us.

Whilst today will be a stern test for us, given the respective leagues we compete in, it provides us with the chance to become one of this seasons giantkillers. I will be urging the players to go out and play without any fear, as the weight of expectation quite rightly sits with our opponents. I really expect us to have a real go and look to continue our run in this seasons competition. We have been in decent form and must carry that growing confidence into games like this when we have the opportunity to pit our wits against the kind of opposition we aspire to be in the company of on a regular basis.

On the squad front, we bid farewell to Steve Smith, who rejoins Aylesbury FC, this time as a somewhat surprising joint Manager, and I must say I never saw that one coming. I wish Steve every success and I'm sure he will be keen to stamp his mark on Aylesbury in what is his first stab at management. Also moving on is Dom Marsala, also to Aylesbury FC. Dom has become frustrated at his lack of regular football and is not prepared to wait around for regular football which is disappointing so early into the season and given that he has featured on a number of occasions. I expect to have a replacement in place by this weekend and it may well be a familiar face who has recently returned to fitness and is keen to pick up some unfinished business with us.

Today is a welcome distraction from our current decent league position and we all know what magic a run in the FA Cup can create and I know we will give it everything to ensure we are in the draw come Monday and I urge you all to get right behind us and help carry us through. The Support has been great so far and we need everyone to get right behind us today as we look to continue the dream.