“Momentum is massive in football” says Foxwell as Shortwood look to push for successful end to season
Shortwood United Manager Marcus Foxwell has praised his side’s performance in their cup win over Tuffley Rovers and reiterates their determination to make the Hellenic Division One play-offs.
“It was a gritty performance on Tuesday,” said Foxwell. “The difficult pitch made it hard for both teams to show to much quality.
Having said that, I also think the lads executed the shape and game plan well to nullify the Tuffley threats.
I have always told the lads that sometimes pitches won’t allow us to play our normal passing football and that we combat that with hard work, being defensively solid and we will then create a moment of magic during the game, with the quality we have in the squad, which proved to be the case on Tuesday,” Foxwell added.
The cup win was only Wood’s second win in their last six matches in all competitions and with Shortwood only two points outside the Division One play-offs, Foxwell has called on his side to keep building the momentum as the key games come thick and fast.
“Momentum is massive in football and Tuesday will certainly give us another boost,” said Foxwell.
“You have to ride that wave as long as you can, as it can change just as quick. We certainly know how good those waves feel after putting together some a run of seven games at the end of last season and then a ten game run earlier this.
It breeds confidence as the run goes on and the atmosphere in the camp is bouncing when we get the win and then get our tune on in the changing room – hopefully we get to experience this a few more times this season!” Foxwell added.
The final two months of the season are set to be busy for Shortwood, with all 12 remaining league matches scheduled between this weekend and the end of March – plus Wood are still in two cup competitions in the form of the Marsh Challenge Cup and with the Quarter Final of the GFA Challenge Trophy.
Ahead of the busy period, Foxwell admits that whilst lifting cup silverware would be welcomed, the quest for promotion remains the key goal.
“Being honest, the cup runs are nice. Its good for the lads as well as Me and Moodz [Andrew Moody] to test ourselves against higher opposition and really it would be great to make a cup final.
We have always said to lads we have an opportunity to make some history with Shortwood and reiterated that those silverware opportunities don’t come along so often in your career so make the most of them,” said Foxwell.
“Having said that, we ultimately went out to achieve a play-off spot this season and that hasn’t changed.
This would potentially give us the opportunity to test ourselves against that higher opposition week in week out, but we have plenty of work still to do though in order to secure that spot.
Our results took a slight dip after Christmas, but we have still only lost one in the last eight, so there is plenty to be positive about and continue to build on.
We have a strong squad and some good young players coming through, so we will continue pushing on all fronts,” added the Shortwood boss.
Next up for Shortwood is a trip to Ludlow Town on Saturday, before visiting Wantage Town in midweek – with home games against Wellington in the league and Slimbridge in the County Cup to come.
READ MORE: Check out the list of fixtures in and around Gloucestershire this Saturday right here
