Mudge looks forward to new campaign

Patrick Corlett • Published 12 Aug 2010 12:30 0 Comments

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Football

WINDSOR & Eton supremo Dave Mudge is unsure what to expect this season as they venture into the unknown of the Southern Premier Division.

After promotion in the last campaign but a summer of turmoil, there has been much change within the squad yet they have performed well during pre-season and go into the current campaign in buoyant mood.

“We’re a young side coming together, we look good on paper,” said manager Mudge who is targeting staying up to start off with.

“It’s an old cliche but the first thing is survival.

“We will look to put 40 points on the board as soon as possible and if we can do that we will see where we can go from there.

“I think we will upset a few teams along the way and surprise a few as well.

“In the space of four weeks we’ve completely rebuilt a side which you normally do in 18 months.”

The first game back in step three in the non-league pyramid is a trip to Tiverton Town tomorrow (Saturday) and then they host fellow promotion outfit Cirencester Town at Stag Meadow on Tuesday evening.

Mudge’s last trip to Tiverton resulted in a 1-0 win for Burnham with Jeff Brown scoring the only goal of the game so hopefully that is a good omen for the Royalists and they can repeat the feat.

He commented: “We are going somewhere where I had a great result and Jeff Brown, who is in our squad, scored the winner but it will be a tough game. Then we’ve got Cirencester so it will be tough but we are not looking too far ahead.

“We will know more about where we can finish after six or seven games.”

Mudge faces a selection headache before the match with three top keepers to choose from including recent signing Delroy Preddy, impressive youngster Tom McNeil and Chris Baker but new midfield recruit Fiston Manuella is a doubt.

Michael Chennells is almost certain to miss the match as he should be in reserve team action for Brentford Town in midweek as he bids to earn a contract at the League One outfit.

Mudge added: “We’ve got young Tom McNeil, Chris Baker and Delroy Preddy who has signed. There’s a choice of goalkeepers available for Saturday. It’s a case of if I go for experience, talented youth or somewhere in between.

“Fiston Manuella has signed now but the game on Saturday might come too soon.”

Windsor’s last pre-season match ended with a 3-2 win at Marlow on Saturday.

Centre-back Justin Clayton headed home the first, the impressive David Pearce doubled their advantage with a well place lob on the half-volley and Ikenna Ofoche’s cross was deflected in to make it three.

Marlow pulled two back after the break but Windsor secured the win and they hosted a successful Bingo night at Terry Hall to help the club progress. The next event is a race night on September 18, visit www.wefcsupportersclub.co.uk for details.

Mudge added: “We made seven or eight substitutions in the second half.

“We were dazzling in the first half and from that would be competing in the top eight but on the second half display we would be in the bottom eight.

“Overall I’m very pleased with the performance.”

This article appeared in Royal Borough Observer 13 Aug 10

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