Sam’s Section: Ward sets confident ambition of claiming GNSL title to add to Tewkesbury’s Reg Davis Cup triumph over Tredworth
Tewkesbury Town manager, Harrison Ward says his sights are firmly set on winning the Gloucestershire Norther Senior League title following his sides Reg Davis Memorial Cup success.
Ward’s side produced a stunning comeback with 10-men to lift the Reg Davis Cup on Wednesday night for the first time defeating Tredworth Tigers 3-2.
But even when falling 2-0 behind to a Brett Blake double and then losing centre-back, Nick Hill, through a red card moments later Ward still believed his side would come out victorious.
“We deserved to win this cup, commiserations to Tredworth as well, they turned out for another cup final but I’m glad today turned out the way it did today.
“The boys tonight were terrific. As soon as we went down to ten men, most teams would fold over, but we stuck to our plan, and I said it when we were 2-0 down, ‘I promise you we’ll win this game’.
“100% it’s a red. As soon as he [Hill] went in for it I knew it was coming.
“But he’ll learn from it and Nick’s been quality all season by the way, I know it was a red today, but all season Nick’s been the rock at the back, absolutely superb for us,” Ward said.
Tewkesbury began their fightback right on the break through Nathan Newland-Gallaway’s fourth goal of the competition before an Alex Roder second half double clinch the sides first ever Reg Davis trophy.
Substitutions paved the way for an inspired second half performance with the likes of Scott Jordan and Billy Barlow making instant impacts off the bench, something Ward couldn’t have been happier with.
“Everyone came on and did their parts, especially when your backs against the wall we managed to carry on.
“Jamie [Goodwin] is one of our pivotal players this season, contributing to 31 of our goals and I’ve had to take him off for Billy [Barlow] who has worked his socks off.
“Scott Jordan coming on as well he was superb, but the players didn’t deserve to come off, but I wanted to secure the game a little at the end,” he said.
This victory now increases Ward’s sides impressive form to just one defeat in their last 20 matches with Ward suggesting that the work done in pre-season is being shown on the pitch.
“The moment I arrived in pre-season we laid out our principles and we worked hard on them every single week.
“We hit pre-season really hard, I didn’t know any of the boys and they didn’t know me but now I’d like to think we have a good structure behind us.
“Obviously the quality of the players we have mostly helps our run. When you have the quality we have you have to use it right technically.
“There’s only been one team in the last 20 that’s been able to deal with us proving how superb the boys have been,” he said.
After already completing one of his goals this season by winning silverware, Ward now has his sights set on completing the league and cup double by winning the GNSL Division One title.
Tewkesbury have won all nine of their opening matches and face Lydney Town Reserves on Saturday before tough tests against Longlevens Reserves and Dursley Town in the weeks to come.
“We want to win the league, simple as that. We want to win this league.
“That’s what I said at the beginning of the season, and it doesn’t change because we are currently in a really good position, and it has to stay like that.”
“It’s not going to be easy, so we have to do what we do best, being consistent, keep sticking to our principles and hopefully complete the league and cup double this season.
“That’s just me being confident because we know what we’re about. I’m really confident we can compete in the league above so that’s what we’re building towards,” he said.
Cover photo courtesy of Tewkesbury Town FC
Follow Sam Yapp on Twitter (X) @SJY_Journo for more
READ MORE: Check out the list of fixtures in and around Gloucestershire this Saturday right here
