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PICTURE: Sandhurst Town players look disappointed at full-time but manager, Jordan Goodall, was proud of their efforts in a 1-0 defeat to Stoke Poges in the Showcase Match at The Racecourse Ground on Saturday. PHOTO: Gary House.
Sandhurst Town manager Jordan Goodall was left feeling proud of his players despite a 1-0 defeat against Stoke Poges in the Showcase Match at Ascot United F.C. on Saturday.
Sandhurst went into the East Berkshire League Division One top-of-the-table clash level on points with Stoke but really needing a win having played three more games than their title rivals.
The improving young side was unfortunate to lose captain Jack Kelly early on in the match, as well as other players later in the contest. And, after falling behind to a Ross MaGarvie goal in the second half, missed good chances when on top late in the game to rescue a point.
VIDEO: Sandhurst Town manager, Jordan Goodall (left), and star player Jack Skinner (right) react to the 1-0 defeat to Stoke Poges on Saturday night.
Goodall, spoke highly of his players, stating: “It was, obviously, not the result that we were coming here and looking for. It’s a tough pill to take but I am proud of the boys, I’m very proud of the boys.
“We had a couple of things that didn’t go our way, losing our captain early on in the first half, and losing one or two more to injuries as well. It doesn’t help and we had to react to that.
“And, for Stoke Poges it was probably the toughest game they’ve faced all season. We put them on the back foot for the final 25 minutes. We had chances and on another day they go in, but that’s football, it’s a cruel game at times. You win some and you lose some. I’m proud of the boys, I will take it all on board, and we all go again next week.”
PHOTO: Sandhurst Town supporters cheer on their side despite the wet weather at the Racecourse Ground in Ascot on Saturday night. PICTURE: Gary House.
The manager added: “A lot of preparation goes into it but you try not to overthink it. It’s one of those where you want to take it as another game, three points is the most important thing. There’s a lot of preparation to it and it was a big spectacle, everybody was talking about it, but you try to keep the boys level headed and focused on getting the three points. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen on Saturday but they’ll learn from it and go again next week.
“I want to say a massive thank you to all of the fans, both sets of spectators that came out in the pouring rain. I have massive respect for them all and thank you for coming.
“It’s not the best result for us but there’s still plenty of games to go. We’ve still got to play Stoke Poges again and they’ve still got to play Cressex twice. There’s a lot of games left but we will focus on ourselves, focus on winning our games, and then we will look at what happens come the end of the season.”
PICTURE: Sandhurst Town (blue and white) still remain in the League Cup and the Ascot & Fielden District Cup this season, as well as competing for the EBFL Division One title. PHOTO: Gary House.
Sandhurst are still competing for Cup silverware as well this season, up next is a trip to League rivals Cressex in round two of the Ascot & Fielden District Charity Cup this Saturday (2pm KO), before a mouthwatering League Cup semi finals tie against Premier Division champions, Britwell, at Eton Wick F.C. on 25 March (12.30pm KO).
Goodall said: “We’ve got Britwell in the League Cup Semi Final in a couple of weeks, that will be a tough game but I’m looking forward to it, and in the seven more league games, we will see where we can go.
“I’m looking forward to it [the rest of the season] and the boys are as well, we will take each game as it comes and see where we are at the end of the season.
“These boys want to play football and they want to enjoy themselves. You’re not enjoying yourself in you’re losing each week. I’ve kicked them up the backside a little bit this year but they’re hungry. They’re all passionate boys that want to play football and they want to win games, and that’s what I want to do as well. The result didn’t go our way on Saturday but we will go again.”
To enter the East Berkshire Football League ahead of the 2023/24 season, or for further information about the league, or an entry form for the upcoming season, please email the team at contactebfl@gmail.com
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