Shone pleased with Flackwell response
Flackwell Heath FC: Heathens go joint-top after Chalfont St Peter victory
Flackwell Heath bounced back from last weekend’s defeat to London Lions by beating Chalfont St Peter in a close midweek encounter on Tuesday night.
Assistant manager Paul Shone was full of praise for his side after surviving a missed Saints penalty in the first half before hitting the decisive winner through Matty Ayres.
The result leaves the Heathens joint-top of a congested Combined Counties Premier Division North, level with Burnham, Ascot and London Lions, whom beat them 20 last Saturday.
Shone was pleased with the way his side responded to that setback with a positive result this week against Chalfont which got them back to winning ways.
“On the back of the defeat on Saturday it was good to get three points and a clean sheet,” he said.
“I thought it was a very even contest in the first half, they caused us a few problems – they will upset a few teams this year.
“If the penalty goes for you then you’re pleased but if it comes against you, it’s frustrating.
“But that is football – they missed it and we managed to score before half-time and we could have extended our lead.”
Shone admitted that the Lions did a ‘very professional job’ on the Heathens last weekend and said teams are beating one another in what is shaping out to be an extremely tight division.
“It is a competitive league; we knew that so we just need to be ourselves and take one game at a time,” he added.
Virginia Water are the visitors to Wilks Park this weekend during a period of three successive home games for the Heathens.
Shone said his squad is looking mostly healthy ahead of a visit from Adam Bessant’s men, and have just one injury from Tuesday which will need to be assessed prior to the clash.
The Heathens also brought in versatile Binfield man Kian Duncan following Tuesday’s game, who will add depth to their midfield and full-back positions.
Shone was expecting another tough test from Virginia Water, who sit five points below them but benefit from two games in hand.
“Their results have been good, they are a tough side and will be well organised so it is a tough fixture,” he said.
“We will look to build on the clean sheet and be brave in possession of the ball and create chances, which we always do.”