Longlevens Development manager Chris Little was quick to commend his sides start to the first-half of this season, insisting his team has the capacity to continue their Bateman Sports Presidents Challenge Cup campaign on Saturday.
“We’ve got a lot going into this game, from where we drew with them last time we played, and from our last game where we lost 4-0 – It was never a 4-0 result. The second half performance from that, if we can take that to Meadow Park, we can get the win.
“The lads know how well they played last Saturday, despite the result, so like I said if we perform like that we can progress into the next round.”
Levens sit 12th, with Bishops Cleeve Development and Shortwood United Reserves all on 11 points, in what has been a difficult first-half of the season so far for Little’s side.
“We prepared the season as we thought the league might turn out to be, but the quality of the league has gotten a little bit better than we thought it would. Us [Longlevens Development] being the third team of the club, and being up against first and second teams, it turned out to be a little bit more difficult than we thought it would.
“The results don’t reflect all the performances, I would say. We’ve turned out good performances despite heavy results, but then again, we’ve also had some bad performances and bad results, so its been a bit of a mixed bag this year.”
Despite the sluggish start made by the Gloucester-based side, Little has continued to install the core values into the side through the promotion of youth and their individual development.
“Emerging the under-18s into the men’s football – I think that’s the biggest highlight of this year. As long as they’re learning and adapting to each game, then you can’t ask for much more really.
“We’re developing players to go into the second team and establish themselves as first team players, and I think we have about 3 or 4 in the pipeline that can actually go on to play Hellenic Prem, so it’s only a good thing.”
Defensive complications have been a major detriment to Little’s side, with just three clean sheets out of 12 games, with the second worst goal difference in the league at -18.
Little admitted his side has struggled so far with its defensive capability to an extent this season, but understands that not all of these have been to do with the back-line.
“We went on a bit of a run where we changed formation a bit and weren’t conceding that many goals, and then, I think now its just due to a lot of personnel changing due to injuries. We haven’t had the consistency of a back four or a back three with the players available really, they’ve either gone higher, or have been injured or unavailable.
“It is something we look at, that we are conceding too easily, but it’s not just the defence, it’s the midfield. I think we need to work harder in areas, but that comes with time and experience, because again we’re a young side, but we have played against some quality sides.”
Amidst it all, however, Little declared that in its entirety, Longlevens represent the values of commitment and passion above all.
“The longlevens try and be the best version of themselves. As long as we’re committed, as long as we turn up, and as long as we try and play the best football that we can play, that’s all we can do really.”
