Pre-match: Steve O’Reilly’s pre-match notes v Harpenden Town

Here are Steve O’Reilly’s pre-match notes before tonight's game with Harpenden Town,

“Tonight we entertain Harpenden off the back of another 'almost' game at the weekend where we gave ourselves a mountain to climb, then gave ourselves ample opportunities to do so but ultimately fell frustratingly short again.

“It was a complete flip of our game the previous weekend where, for the opening 45 against Kings Langley and against the eleven men they had, we matched the opposition and, going in at the break with the opposition down a man, we really should have kicked on to win the game. But we failed to take our chances and conceded a soft goal from a free kick and, at that point, Kings Langley had something to hold onto and full credit, they did that and we missed the cutting edge needed to get a result.

“Then Saturday at Tring it was the reverse. We were tentative and passive in the first half and, in that sense, gave a good Tring side way too much time on the ball. At 2-0 down at half-time we laid the options out to the players, we could feel sorry for ourselves and crumble or go after it. The response was excellent and, after pulling a goal back immediately, we again had more opportunities to draw level, but we just did not take one of the multiple chances we had.

“Conceding the third again could have been the final nail in the coffin but we hit straight back and threw everything at it during added time to try and get something from the game but again fell agonisingly short.

“So we have 10 games left, eight here at Creasey Park in front of our home support, plus away games at AFC Welwyn and tonight’s opponents Harpenden. It is still all in our hands and we have shown in the past 2 weeks against 3 play-off and promotion chasing teams that we can compete in games. We have to now translate it into points and wins, it is as simple as that.

“Our belief as a management team has not wavered from the fact that we can turn this around. A win for the group will do wonders and, if the attitude and application of the second had on Saturday is emulated across the last 10 games, we will get the results we need.

“There will be no better time to begin than tonight against Harpenden, a club that myself, Micky and a number of our players know well. We face them in back to back league games and we also know to expect no favours as they will be keen to have a strong end to the season themselves.

“I appreciate it has not been an easy ride as a Dunstable supporter this season, but all your support in this last set of games will be greatly appreciated and can absolutely make a difference. We will make sure that the lads give you something on the pitch to be proud of.

“Enjoy the game”.

Steve