Morgan confident Hanham are equal to the challenge
HANHAM Athletic’s new manager Tom Morgan has been reflecting on “the positives” after being dealt a first-day defeat by Shirehampton’s Marcliff Gloucestershire County League table-toppers.
The 35-year-old stepped into the Vicarage Road hot-seat, one he desperately wants to cool as quickly as possible, alongside fellow Seymour United club-mate Jason Side in the wake of previous Hanham incumbent Chris Strawford’s departure following a rough start to their campaign.
Saturday’s 4-0 loss at Shire was not unexpected, but it did leave Morgan’s men seeking that elusive first point or more back on home soil this Saturday, where league newcomers English Bicknor, from the Forest of Dean, are the guests.
“Shirehampton deserved their win,” Morgan accepted. “But there were a lot of positives to be taken from our perspective and 4-2 would not have flattered us as we had chances too, one a header from four yards out straight at their ‘keeper.
“I said to our lads at half-time and afterwards that if that’s the standard of the County League – Shire were strong, direct and organised just as teams at this level tend to be - we’re really not a million miles away from getting it right.”
Morgan, who had player-managed Bristol Premier Combination highfliers Seymour, has made evident strides to reinforce the ranks he has acquired with higher-level know-how. To that end, Tyrone Fudgell, who had been turning out for Bristol Telephones in Toolstation One on a dual registration from Seymour, along with fellow central midfielder Tom Welling, back on
Vicarage Road soil after injury and a stint with Longwell Green Sports, both featured at the weekend. They were joined in Saturday’s line-up by forward Sam Brown, a “Hanham lad through and through” who has had his “enthusiasm rekindled,” in the words of the observant Morgan.
The new Hanham boss said: “There was a nucleus of Hanham lads still here when Jason and I arrived; the heartbeat of the team, which was good. With these fresh and experienced faces, things are looking more promising. They all showed tremendous work rate and commitment on Saturday, which explains why they were dead on their feet at the final whistle.
“I’m another who has a lot of Toolstation League experience with the likes of Oldland, Bitton, Keynsham and Cribbs. That’s helped me forge good connections with various managers at the level, something I’ll be looking to exploit as I look at the prospect of bringing in loan players to help us out.
“I’m under no illusions we’re in for a tough few months. But we’re only a few points off safety which is why it’s so important we grab as many points from teams around us.”
As for Liam Greening’s Shirehampton fliers, they set out to hold top spot when they head to Bristol rivals Rockleaze Rangers and their Hillside Gardens 3G.
Fifth-placed Wick, fresh from their GFA Challenge Trophy 5-4 shootout win over Bitton at the weekend following a 2-2 draw, are at second-placed Broadwell Amateurs. Mid-ranked Little Stoke go to struggling Bromley Heath United; Patchway Town are at third-placed Gala Wilton, and third-bottom Henbury target points at sixth-spot Sharpness. All kick off at 2pm.