"Room for improvement": Ayres rallies Heathens ahead of crucial Northwood clash

Sean McGuinness netted for Flackwell on Saturday. Photo: Flackwell Heath

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Flackwell Heath host Northwood at Wilks Park this evening (Tuesday) looking to bounce back to form after a disappointing run of just one win in 10 matches across all competitions.

The Heathens have been faltering in the league ever since they were knocked out of the FA Cup at the final qualifying round by Maldon & Tiptree.

Since then, they’ve suffered six defeats in the Southern League Central Division, however, they did manage to beat AFC Dunstable 2-0 away during that run while on Saturday they shaded a 1-1 draw away to the London Lions.

Manager Chris Ayres felt his side should have taken all three points from their trip to North London. The visitors took the lead midway through the first half when defender Sean McGuinness got the faintest of touches on Matty Ayres’ brilliant free kick, but the Lions levelled the score five minutes before the break when Max Daniel Kyte (40') headed home.

There were no further goals, but that wasn’t for a want of trying on Flackwell’s behalf. They controlled the second half and created two or three presentable chances that Ayres felt should have been taken.

In his post-match interview for the club, he said there’s plenty of room for improvement in their attacking play

“I’m disappointed as I felt our second half performance warranted winning the game,” he said.

£I was disappointed with the goal in the first half. We were a threat going forward, we got in front. It was a great delivery from Matty (Ayres) and Sean (McGuinnes) headed it in across the keeper. Then we gave away a poor goal and got punished.

“Second half, we were positive. We missed two or three chances to win the game which is disappointing but the performance and desire from the lads was excellent.

“I thought we were the better side. Henry (Upstell) hasn’t had to make a save in the second half and with a bit more luck or better crossing we could have nicked a goal. We had the one where the keeper has caught the ball outside the box and was allowed to play on, that was a strange one. But I couldn’t fault the effort or desire of the players. We’ve got to replicate that on Tuesday and hopefully our luck will turn.

“I think entry into the final third needs to improve. Our final ball and cross. People making runs in the box and wanting to score. In the second half today, we didn’t quite pick out the runs into the box, or the runs weren’t quite right. In the final third, there’s room to improve.

“But defensively I thought Sean and Peggy (Lewis Pegg) were excellent today along with Lewis (Patrick) and Ryan (Avery). They were back to where they were early in the second.”

Having gone unbeaten in the league prior to their FA Cup exit at the hands of Maldon on October 11, Heath have since won only one of their next 10 matches.

Their lack of form has seen the side slip to 16th in the table, and only three points outside of the drop zone. Quite a fall from grace for a team who were only 90 minutes from promotion last season after reaching the play-off final against Berkhamsted.

They will though expect to put a few more points in the bank from their upcoming matches as they host fourth from bottom Northwood tonight (November 18), 11th placed Beaconsfield Town on Saturday (November 22) and visit bottom of the table Enfield the following Saturday (November 29).