BLACKFIELD & Langley got back into manager John Robson’s good books with their second Sydenhams Premier victory in the space of five days at home to AFC Portchester.
But with Nick Tayler and Michael Durdey due suspensions and four or five others teetering on the brink of five yellow cards, Robson will need 100 per cent commitment from his fifth-placed squad to get through the coming weeks.
“We’ve got a lot of suspensions and Jacko (defender Richard Jackson) is out until the beginning of December with a medial tear, so we’re going to need all the players we can get,” said the boss.
“We’ve got a free midweek and I’ll be looking for a good turnout at Tuesday and Thursday training nights.
“We’ve put approaches in for various players, but it’s so difficult to get them to leave the clubs they’re at.”
The recent departure of Jamie Musselwhite to Portchester didn’t help Blackfield’s cause but, fortunately for the Watersiders, the big targetman did them no damage on his return to Gang Warily as Robson’s men ran out worthy 2-0 winners.
Danny Young scored the opener midway through the first half and the second came direct from a corner by Ekow Elliott, who had just missed an open goal from two yards.
“Ekow’s reprieved himself with that one,” smiled Robson. “He put in a great cross from the corner which went under the bar and the ’keeper couldn’t handle it and fumbled it in.
“It was a well deserved win for us. Our ’keeper Gareth Barfoot was threatened once or twice and they skied one shot over but, other than that, we took the game to them.
“I felt for Jamie (Musselwhite) because we know how good he can be, but Gibbo (Kev Gibbens) man-marked him and did a great job with Joey Byrne alongside him at centre-back.
“I love it when Joey’s in the side, he’s absolute class, a good lad and a great defender.”
Fawley AFC also excelled against Portsmouth area opposition, holding title contenders Moneyfields 2-2 at Dover Road. The Oilers twice fought back from behind with Keiran Earl wiping out Jack Lee’s opener and sub Paul Green rescuing a point with ten minutes to go after Declan Seiden had put Moneys back ahead.
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