Chalvey Sports v Langley Reserves – Showcase Match
Read the interviews with Team Managers Brian Higgins (Chalvey Sports) and Bradlee Greenwood (Langley Reserves) ahead of the much anticipated Showcase Match this weekend! Content courtesy of East Berkshire Football League.
CHALVEY SPORTS
Chalvey Sports manager Brian Higgins has warned his team that performances must improve if they are to achieve a mid-table position in the East Berkshire League Premier Division this season.
The Stabmonks returned to the East Berkshire League with a young squad in the summer after the club had a successful spell higher up in the English football pyramid which included two Hellenic Football League titles in 2017 and 2018.
Higgins wants his youthful side to establish a solid foundation, but player availability has affected their rhythm. Chalvey is currently outside the bottom two on goal difference only and facing a battle with relegation.
The Stabmonks boss explained: “So far, I would say that we’re off target for this season. We started the campaign well performance-wise, our displays against F.A.B F.C and Sandhurst F.C Royals were nearly on par with where we wanted to be. We also played well against F.C. Beaconsfield and won.
“Since then, performances have been mixed, to say the least. We had a really good performance away at Old Windsor and an away win at A.F.C Reading, but those have been overshadowed by poor performances in between.
“A lot of injuries and a lack of opportunities to have a consistent squad had delayed the flow of the team. This, along with our performances, must improve.”
Higgins added: “The aim for our first season back in the East Berkshire League was a mid-table finish, comfortably was the original plan. With an average age in the squad of about 20, we thought that this would be a good building block. Our form has been mixed, but performance progression has grown.”
Chalvey heads into the Showcase Match in 10th position in the Premier Division table, with two wins and six defeats from their eight league matches. The Stabmonks are outside of the relegation zone on goal difference only.
The team has struggled for goals a little bit with their total of 10 being the lowest in the division but, the young guns have conceded only 25 times which is the fifth-best defensive record in the league.
Higgins hopes that a win in the Showcase Match could be the shot in the arm that Chalvey needs to improve their consistency in performances and start to climb the table.
The boss predicted: “Anyone who loves football will understand the thrill of a game under the floodlights, and at a great venue like Arbour Park stadium as well.
“My view is that it would be a great boost to the lads, the club and our supporters. These lads have tremendous ability and potential, a win in this environment will demonstrate this to the league but above all the lads themselves, and that would be huge for me. Every manager will tell you that coaching a confident team is an absolute dream.”
Higgins added: “The boys are certainly excited for this one, and as for the supporters, I hope that they get to see the true Chalvey Sports in action. I hope that the team uses this as a stepping stone for improvement.”
Alfie O’Conner could be the main danger for The Stabmonks having scored six goals in eight appearances this season, three of those strikes coming from the penalty spot.
His team, however, will go into the Showcase Match as the underdogs with Langley currently standing in fifth position in the table, and with the chance of climbing into third spot with another victory.
Higgins commented: “Langley’s form has been pretty good. We haven’t played them with our current crop of players yet, so I would say that it’s one of those unknown quantities at this stage. But, I believe that it will be a good battle on Saturday.”
LANGLEY FC RESERVES
Langley F.C. Reserves manager Bradlee Greenwood is full of confidence that his team can be successful this season after an impressive start to the new campaign.
Greenwood joined The Merrymakers from Stoke Poges in the summer and wants his side to develop into a new challenger for the East Berkshire League title.
Langley are currently slightly behind the pace at the top of the Premier Division table but a win in the Showcase Match on Saturday evening could see them climb as high as third, with only arch-rivals Britwell and Old Windsor ahead of them.
Greenwood explained: “The season so far, for the majority, has been pretty good, but overall we know we have levels we can go through to make sure we finish the season where we want to be.
“We have had a few games where we’ve come away feeling disappointed, and the results of one or two matches don’t tell the full story. But, after nine league games, we will take the start we’ve had.
“The Slough Town Cup match was hard to take as it was arguably one of our best performances so far this season. To be honest, it was all us for 120 minutes against a team that plays at a step higher, but unfortunately, penalties got the better of us that day.
“I didn’t tell the boys outright what I thought our ambitions could be this season as it’s our first year with a new club. I also didn’t want to look too far ahead as I believe in taking things game-by-game to make sure you give everyone 100% focus.
“With that, there will of course be bumps in the road and we’ve had one or two already, but the boys have come back and filled me with so much confidence that we can achieve a lot this season if we keep the attitude and the desire the same.”
Langley have won in five of their nine league matches so far this season to stand in fifth position in the Premier Division table. The Merrymakers have won in three of their last five games and suffered defeat only at the hands of last season’s champions, Old Windsor, and runners-up, Frontline.
Greenwood commented: “Our league form has been pretty good overall, which is why we’ve got ourselves into a top-five position. Of course, we are not settling for that, but at least we’ve given ourselves a decent platform to work from.
“Performances are a big thing for me. When we’re at it and follow our style of play, we will give every team in this league a tough game. It’s all about getting the boys to believe in that.
“Hopefully they will continue to believe and we can show everyone at the Showcase Match the football that we’re trying to play. And, most importantly get the result to continue with our good form.”
The Merrymakers will carry a threat all over the pitch but perhaps none more so than Tai Maddox and Own McCarthy who have both hit the back of the net five times already this season – McCarthy has an impressive record of five goals in five appearances.
Greenwood is determined for his team to send supporters of The Merrymakers home happy at the Showcase Match, and he explained that a win would help repay the faith shown in him and the squad by the club this season.
The boss explained: “Winning the Showcase game would be massive for momentum and it would be a real eye-opener for what the boys can go on to achieve this season. To win this game for the club after the faith they have shown in me and the squad would be a great way to start life as Langley F.C. Reserves. We will give it our very best to make everyone at the football club proud.
“Everyone at the club is excited for this game. The squad we have this season is quite big so we’ve had a lot of competition for places which has helped us to push forward, along with the boys pushing each other on and getting the best out of one another.
“Everyone in the squad has the same end goal and come the Showcase Match we all have the same target, to get the win and put on a performance for everyone so that the supporters go home happy with what they have seen.”
Langley will go into the Showcase Match as favourites for the win with their opponents and old rivals, Chalvey Sports currently outside of the Premier Division relegation zone on goals difference only.
Greenwood, however, is aware of the threat of pace the young Stabonks have on the pitch, and he knows Chalvey have tested some of the best sides in the division this year already.
He said: “Chalvey have a little bit of a new look to them this season, with it being a team that has dropped down from the Hellenic Football League.
“I haven’t been able to see too much of them yet this season, but what I do know is they are a young side with plenty of pace. Although results haven’t quite gone their way, they have given a lot of good teams a tough game and no doubt that will be the same thing they try and do to us.”
East Berkshire Football League Premier Division
Saturday 30th November 2024
7.30 PM Kick-Off
Chalvey Sports v Langley Reserves
Arbour Park, Stoke Road, Slough, SL2 5AY
DISCOUNTED TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE!!
Admission: Adults: £5.00 | U18s: £1.50 | U15 Youth Players in Langley Kits: £1.00 – All U18s must be accompanied by an adult!
Matchday Programmes Available for £1.00 (Limited Availability)
