MEDWAY MESSENGER REPORT - Thursday 12th September 2019
With no match to play last Saturday, Lordswood put their weekend off to good use. Manager Darren Anslow enjoyed an extra training session, followed by some scouting. Anslow would have preferred a game but didn't waste the day.
He said: "We trained early on Saturday and then all went off on our separate ways to watch games afterwards. We would have rather had a game but made use of the day.
"We have tried to be positive about the situation, it was an opportunity for us to give a little rest to some players that needed it.
"We had a friendly planned but they cancelled on the Friday night. As it happened, two players who would have benefited from the minutes, one was ill and the other had a knock, so it worked out for us.
"We ended up using our reserves, they came over to us after their session finished. They didn't have a game either and we had a bit of a game against them. They agreed to play a certain way in preparation for a few things that we've got coming up.
"We worked on a couple of things and it was good for the reserve players to see the level they need to get to if they want to progress, and it was a chance for us to look at a couple fo players."
Lordswood have had plenty of time to prepare for the visit of Sheppey this Saturday, in the FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round.
Sheppey had a game at the weekend but lost 4-1 at Chertsey in the Emirates FA Cup.
"We know it will be tough against Sheppey," said Anslow. "They made a slow start to the season but drew against Chatham and their league form has picked up. I'm not reading too much into their defeat on Saturday, against a decent side who won the FA Vase Final last season.
"They've got some good players and we'll have to be on top of our game to get anything out of it."
Meanwhile, Anslow has moved to strengthen his attacking options with the signing of striker David Owusu.
20 year old Owusu is another product of the Croydon based Kinetic Foundation and played for Isthmian Premier League side Merstham before signing professional terms at League One side Rochdale. He made one appearance for the Dale's first team before being released and rejoining Merstham. He has since played for Whyteleafe and Croydon.