Clark glad to be back

TADLEY Calleva manager Adam Clark is thrilled to be back in action for the first time since the end of October.

The Sydenhams Wessex League was halted, due to the second national lockdown, but Tadley returned to competitive football on Tuesday night.

Tom Walsh and Andrew Charsley scored for Clark’s side as they beat Shaftesbury 2-1 at Barlows Park.

“It wasn’t a very entertaining game,” admitted Clark, “but I was delighted to get the win because we were three games unbeaten before the break.

“I wanted the run to continue and, prior to the game, we had two training sessions which is better than what other teams have had.

“In the first 15 minutes, it was like a basketball match because it was end-to-end and everybody was flying out of the blocks.

“I think the half-time whistle came at the right time because everyone was getting tired and I was kind of expecting it really.”

Tadley now have two back-toback away games as they travel to AFC Stoneham this weekend, before going to Fleet three days later.

Clark said: “This weekend, we are playing on a 4G pitch, which will be different and I think it may take a few games before we get back up to speed with things.

“If we can perform well and improve on Tuesday’s game, I believe we have a good squad to get at least a point on Saturday,” he added.

The lockdown has, however, proved to be a productive spell for Tadley as striker Brett Denham has re-joined the club, while Gareth Thomas has come in as first-team coach after the departure of Harrison Gilkes.

Clark said: “Gareth came in as first-team coach because Harrison departed just before the lockdown.

“He is a great professional, he has a lot of good contacts and he really wants to progress on the coaching side – which is great.”