Time for Shrivvy's kids to grow up (From Swindon Advertiser)

Time for Shrivvy's kids to grow up

6:00am Friday 7th September 2012 in Sport By Andy Warren

Shrivenham boss Michael McNally believes his young players need to start taking more responsibility as they bid to make their mark on the Hellenic Premier.

Shrivvy have assembled a youthful looking side in manager McNally’s first season in charge, and have made a mixed start with some tight defeats coupled with some big victories.

But McNally believes his players still have not come to terms with the level they are now playing at, and is convinced everyone at the club, including himself, still have a lot to learn.

“A few of the lads need to realise the standard of league they are playing in, and we can’t keep using the fact we are a young side as an excuse,” he said.

“They need to grow up and start taking responsibility if we are going to do anything this year, and we will be looking to bring in a few more experienced players in the next few weeks to help us do that.

“It is a learning curve for everyone at the moment, and that includes me.

“The big thing I have learnt so far is that I have to be a lot more patient with the players and individuals, but really that all comes with age.

“I have spoken to some more experienced managers, including Dave Webb at Supermarine, and they have been very helpful and I have looked to learn as much as I can from them.”

Shrivenham travel to Ardley this weekend as they look to move up the embryonic table, to face a side who have been at the top end of the table in recent years. McNally is expecting a tough game after suffering a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Cheltenham Saracens in midweek.

“They have been a very good side over the last two or three years and have been in and around the top five in the league, so we know it is going to be tough.

“We need to get some consistency into our game, because we went into the Cheltenham game thinking we could win, and if we had we would be going into this with more confidence.

“Then in the second half we switched off a little bit and they ended up scoring a winner in the 94th minute.

“We didn’t play too bad, but we sat back and gave them too much respect.”

In Hellenic Division One West, Cricklade entertain Carterton, New College Swindon travel to Hook Norton, Lambourn host Purton and Fairford travel to Lydney.