With goals coming from Jack Harvey, Leon Lobjoit and Matty Cooper against ultimately nine men, the manager was pleased yet saw the win as more of a formality.
“Really good. What we’re coming out saying now is its only a league game. I was a bit, and I know Joycey was, a bit bemused by it being such a big thing today. Its only three points, we’ve not got ten points by winning today.
“Brett Donnelly’s got a good side there, we know that. They’ll be right up there; they’re not coming to make up the numbers. For us, it was important we had a little chat about how we wanted to play and how they were going to play, and they kept their discipline. We knew they were going to come flying out and it was the way. We got a nice early goal at a good time. Can’t fault them. It’s only one game. After tonight it’s all done, put to bed and we go again on Saturday.”
Assistant coach Tony Joyce added his thoughts on the evening’s showing, saying: “We knew they’d be a good side obviously they won their league last season. Big strong side, they were a little bit fired up for it. The sending off obviously helps and the sinbin at the end. But I think our boys, especially our midfield three, worked the ball really well and put out a great performance.”
Substitutes played a big part in last night’s win. Joe Fitzgerald chipped in with a key assist for fellow replacement Matty Cooper. The managerial pair reflected:
“We’re going to make substitutions and get them wrong but tonight we got them right. We’ve just said to the group in there, we’re only as good as our subs. As a team, we’re no good just churning out eleven players every week. Fair play, we’ve got to give the boys a lot of credit there. Subs especially, coming on the way they did with the attitude they had. Brilliant.
That’s how you keep a good group and they’re all digging in for each other. That’s got to happen, we’ve set that as a bare minimum. All the lads in that group will play 30-40 games. We can’t just rely on eleven. Great start, but that’s all it is. Now its about Saturday in the FA Cup.”

Article By Max Bradfield