Leyton Athletic (2018-19) – The Tree Surgeon

Today we are at home to Leyton Athletic, who, of course, share the facilities with us, in what is being called The Wadham Derby.

Like ourselves, our opponents have also changed the name of the club in the closed season from Wadham Lodge to Leyton Athletic.

They are struggling a bit up until now and suffered a heavy reverse last weekend against Enfield, who suddenly seem to be hitting some excellent form after their own six goal drubbing against Sporting Bengal.

Before they won against Leyton they inflected the first League defeat over Takeley, destroying their 100% record.

So let’s hope that Leyton to not have the same miraculous form turn around as Enfield, following their heavy defeat.

Last season, Wadham Lodge signed quite a few of our players when we dispensed with the services of Qayum Shakoor, but, looking down the current list of players, I do not recognise anyone with past connections to our club, except if the Danny Francis is the forward who played for us about seven or eight years ago.

In terms of form, we are going very nicely at the moment with two draws against Hullbridge Sports and St Margaretsbury, before our excellent 4-1 win last Saturday over Sawbridgeworth.

In both the drawn games we had enough chances to have put the game to bed and so our points tally could and should have been higher, but, overall the level of performance, set up what we dished up on Saturday, when we managed to convert enough chances.

Having said that, their keeper had a superb afternoon and made several saves that denied up to run up an even bigger tally.

In our last two home games, we have won by a score of 4-1, so who knows, we certainly should win today on current form, but, everybody would have thought that Takeley would beat Enfield, so we cannot count our chickens.

I think the strength of our current squad was shown last Saturday, when Rheo Joseph, who had certainly been first choice in matches this season, so far, was only on the bench and we are still without Junior Appiah who has looked so impressive, but, has not been seen since his sending off at Felixstowe in the FA Cup.

Having seen some comments in manager Ryan Maxwell’s Twitter account at the weekend, there are some massive new signings in the pipeline, so he is obviously not content to sit on his laurels.

It will be interesting just to see who these new arrivals will be.

Looking at the top team’s in the table, at this early stage, there are several sides capable of winning the title, including ourselves and I think in the end it will be the side that not only plays the winning football, but, the side who has the strongest squad to allow for injuries and suspensions.

Look at Redbridge last season, everyone’s favourites to go up for most of the season, but, imploded in the final couple of months when fixtures began to pile up and their squad was stretched to the limit.

I saw the interview with the manager by some old geezer (only joking Andy) and was impressed by his attitude and his opinions on our players and the League in general.

I think he hit the right notes, supportive of the players and singing their praise, where deserved, but, keeping a level head on our chances of being in contention for the title.

Despite his relative lack of experience at ESL level, namely under half a season in charge last season, he seems to have a good grasp of what is required to do well at this level.

It would be easy for him, given his experiences as a player have always been at least one level above where we are now, to be dismissive of the quality of the League and what it takes to do well.

But, he is concerned with our players attitude being right and getting our own game up to the required level – never mind the opposition, we need to make sure we are on our A game and then let them worry about us.

If I was not already optimistic about our chances under Ryan, Craig & Lee, after that interview, I certainly am now.

On a slightly less cheerful note, it was a shame to see our under 18’s go out of the FA Youth Cup at home to Saffron Walden by a single goal.

We looked to have won the game in the dying minutes, only to have the goal ruled out and Saffron Walden scored the only goal in injury time, such are fine margins between victory and defeat.

So, it is vital today, that we can get a few goals to avoid any last minute comebacks by our visitors.