Home   Newmarket   Sport   Article

Subscribe Now

Soham Town Rangers joint manager Lloyd Groves wants reaction from players after derby defeat at Newmarket Town




Soham Town Rangers’ joint boss Lloyd Groves bemoaned a lack of character and leadership from his side during Tuesday evening’s 2-1 defeat at Newmarket Town.

The Greens were the better of the two teams for large parts of the first half at a soggy Tristel Stadium, although they only had the one goal to show for their domination heading into the break.

But up against a much more spirited home team in the second half, Soham’s response was muted and they ended up making the short trip back down the Fordham Road with nothing to show for their evening’s work.

Joint managers Matt Clements and Lloyd Groves want to see more character and leadership form their Soham Town Rangers players. Picture: Mark Westley
Joint managers Matt Clements and Lloyd Groves want to see more character and leadership form their Soham Town Rangers players. Picture: Mark Westley

Reflecting on where it wrong, Groves said: “First half we should have been out of sight with the chances that we had.

“We played some really good stuff and the sort of things we’ve been looking to implement since coming in, we just lacked the cutting edge to finish it off.

“(Alex) Archer has made two or three outstanding saves which have kept them in it and now looking back it’s won them the game but that’s his job, that’s what he’s paid to do.

Jordan Chipps clears the danger during Tuesday night's defeat. Picture: Mark Westley
Jordan Chipps clears the danger during Tuesday night's defeat. Picture: Mark Westley

“The second half was all about mentality. You probably saw it a little bit towards the end of the first half as well where we weren’t able to maintain the levels we’d reached earlier in the game.

“We spoke about them probably having a little bit of a rocket at half-time and probably being a little more aggressive in their press, certainly we said they’ll put us into areas where won’t be as comfortable and that’s what happened.

“They didn’t recreate the wheel but we didn’t stand up to it, showed no character and no leadership.

“We’ve allowed an experienced side to grow into the game. While they grew and grew and grew, we just got smaller and smaller.”

Soham, who ran out 4-2 winners at home against Haverhill Rovers last weekend, have the chance to put things right on Saturday when they welcome Lakenheath to Julius Martin Lane (3pm).

And Groves is eager to see a reaction as his team seeks to rack up a fourth Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division victory of the season.

“It’s not panic stations but if it becomes a regular occurrence then it’s probably a personnel thing,” he said.

“You can have all the ability in the world but unless you’re going to out-run and out-work the opponent then you’re never going to win any football matches.

“Second half we got out-worked, we got out-battled and they physically beat us up.

“We have to do address that. It’s something we’ve spoken about as a group.

“It’s a tight group. They’re a group of fantastic footballers but we need them to stand up and show their colours, show some fight, because we’re struggling when the going gets a bit tough.

“Football is a very simple game and at times we’re over complicating it.

“Saturday is another test, they’re a good side but it’s about focusing on ourselves and implementing our principals. We need to see a reaction.”