Match analysis and interesting thoughts from club President Jeff Lenton

Watched our virtually new squad get the run around in the first half and thought that Wellingborough deserved their 1-0 half- time lead. We got exposed at the back more than we should have done but I don’t believe that it is because the players can’t cut the mustard – more that they need more match experience as a unit – Clippos pre-season was a wash out through no fault of his own.

The first 20 minutes of the second half saw a reversal of roles where our boys could/should have scored at least twice and forcing several good saves from the home keeper. But the stuffing was knocked out them with a sucker goal from an early taken free kick just outside of the penalty area. From where I was standing it was definitely a free kick and we showed our youthful inexperience by not getting a player in front of the ball … bet that will be burned into the lads memories for the rest of the season! We always see at least one goal on the telly every season scored like this.

In my opinion Wellingborough took 75% of the game and whilst it’s always disappointing to lose your first game of the season (and on average 40-50% of teams do) it’s not the end of the world. At this stage, it’s important to learn from mistakes, build on the positives and do better next time.

Everyone knows that we at Yaxley are not setting out to do anything other than improve on last years position with even less resources. Everyone at the club has faith in Clippo and his ability to build and maintain a great team spirit with Hamish alongside. Yes we are going to take a lot of hard knocks this season, especially as we bring our youngsters through from the U18’s. I’ve read lots of other peoples thoughts and views about what we are doing so for the record, those youngsters who in Clippo’s mind are able, will play in the first team. Relationships with Peterborough League teams are continually being fostered so that we have a route for players to also come in either on ability or returning from injury and for U18’s to go into if needs be.

On a slight aside, it’s interesting to note that many of the Chairmen and club officials I speak to share a common thought that not before time, there is a re-emergence of a prior era slowly spreading in non-league football where clubs will be going back to basics – just because they have to as the sponsorship (aka money) has dried up. I believe that players will increasingly play for the love of their local club and will be rewarded as best the club can afford until times change. Maybe it won’t be a weekly expenses payment – perhaps it will be a subsidised team trip to Holland/Belgium at the end of the season or a free end of season banquet – it could be anything really. It will be a painful period and some bitter pills will have be swallowed in terms of not having everything laid on a plate (even down to the half time sarnie!). As somebody famous (so famous I can’t remember who) once said "if it doesn’t kill you it makes you stronger".

In my mind a true non-league club at our level has the majority of players and supporters that help run the club and get involved – not just turn up for financial reward. That’s what we try and do at Yaxley and generally succeed and that’s why Yaxley is a great club to belong to and in spite of the challenges that like clubs like us face, we will always survive!

This season we have a crop of new players that will over the coming months become part of our club. Some will move on if we lose too many games, some will stay and show their character. Some like Ricky Hailstone will become an intrinsic part of the club and remain loyal to us for many years in spite of tempting offers from other clubs.

Sorry if I’ve rambled on … it’s my age! The real point of this was to say it’s early doors and team spirit can often bring more rewards than money.

Have a great season everyone – climb on board the roller coaster!

originally from the UCL message board

Tonights Peterborough Evening Telegraph has the non-league season preview within it. We know it has been a tricky year so far for Yaxley Football Club with budget cuts and hard times fundraising for the stadium redevelopment. But, far from being downhearted the Cuckoos are entering the Herewards Sports United Counties Premier Division season full of hope.

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First up for the village side will be Wellingborough Town away tomorrow, before a trip to Bourne Town for a local derby on Tuesday night.

The first home match comes a week tomorrow with Rothwell the visitors in the opening round of FA Cup qualifying. It is a 3pm kick off at Leading Drove, try and make time to get down there and roar the lads a step nearer Wembley!

In terms of player activitiy the loss of Liam Harrold and Andy Lodge to Deeping was a shock. But they have already moved on to St Neots showing the turn over rate of players at this level!

Dan Jacobs was always a class act last season and I am surprised that he has chosen (so far) to stick with Deeping as opposed to taking up the offer of higher level football with Stamford.

Dominic Henson comes back through the in door, a player whose cv includes Manchester United and Leicester City. On his day one of the best players we have seen at the Drove in ages. He needs to be on his day more often than not this season.

The others are a mix of young players and players from the Peterborough League looking to make an impression in senior football.

Liam Palmer’s departure to Ketton is a bit of a shock. Manager Gary Clipston had long rated the gangly front mans chances of achieving much in the game, but his ability and touch were never reflected in the goals column.

And it is goals that Yaxley will need to avoid battling at the wrong end of the UCL table. Step forward Yaxley lad "Super" Sam Makansi. It is always unfair to heap pressure on a young player, but I am sure that this will be his breakthrough season and we will keep that tradition of top strikers going at the club.

Yes the stadium is like a building site and yes the big name signings (remember our bid for Gazza!!) and big budget of previous sesaons is no more. But more support and backing for the management and the team will enable YFC to address those issues and grow itself even further into the community.

Bring it on!

Due to the current injury crisis at Leading Drove the midweek match between the Cuckoos and Bedford was called off.

The Peterborough Evening Telegraph is reporting that Yaxley FC have been struck down with an injury and illness plague..

A SWINE flu scare and a massive injury list has led Yaxley boss Gary Clipston to describe the past few weeks as his ‘worst pre-season ever’.
The Cuckoos were forced to abandon this week’s planned friendly with Wisbech because they were unable to field a team and things aren’t looking much better for tomorrow’s clash at Peterborough Northern Star (kick-off 3pm).

New signing Alex Harrison from Bourne is out with a twisted knee while the midfield trio of Teddy Rimmell, Ricky Hailstone and Richard Challinor all look doubtful.

Striker Sam Makansi is also out of the frame after coming down with swine flu-like symptoms which has all left the manager feeling decidedly green around the gills himself – in more ways than one.

Clipston said: "It has been a nightmare few weeks for us and without doubt has been our worst pre-season ever. But what can you do?

"We are trying to get ready for the season but everything seems to be conspiring against us with all these injuries. As well as Alex, Teddy, Ricky, Richard and Sam, I am also without Jonathan Grigas, who is waiting for his overdue girlfriend to give birth.

"I am also without Daniel Drane and Michael Calvin, who are on holiday, and on top of that I thought I had swine flu as well!

"Luckily we have been cleared of it but it does all mean my plans have been messed up a treat.

"All I can hope for from our game against Northern Star is that I can get a team out and we get 90 minutes without injuries.

"We were due to play Bedford next Tuesday but I may have to think about that so we can just get the lads in training for a couple of days together before the start of the season."

But despite his problems which came on top of the loss of Dan Jacobs, Liam Harold and Andy Lodge to rivals Deeping, Clipston is trying to remain upbeat about next season’s prospects.

"We have lost players but I think I have brought in good quality replacements.

"I have added Alex and Aaron Rideout from Bourne as well as Chris Tolton and Jamie Darlow from Ramsey and I expect all of them to do well.

"It is going to be a tough season but I am confident that we can make the top half of the table if everything goes to plan."

The first teams friendly with Wisbech was called off at late notice last night due to an outburst of injury to the cuckoos squad.

The next match is on 1st August with Peterborough Northern Star.

Depending on maintenance it will be on either the training pitch or main pitch.

Regular readers of the Yaxley Gazette will have noticed that the club has a column.

There is more to come from that page, but if you have an ideas or features you wish to see, please get in touch.

As part of the ongoing commitment to try and engage internet enabled supporters of the club, Yaxley FC has this weekend launched its own Twitter feed.

The objective being that the page can be updated with news, fixtures and results quickly.
Web: http://www.twitter.com/yaxleyfc

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