Old boy ‘Zico’ wins the coach’s respect
BACK in the groove after his hip lay-up, Tony Vance wants one more Christmas present – three points at home to Three Bridges today (2pm kick-off).
But, as the coach emphasised, Three Bridges will be a whole different proposition from the poor outfit which the Green Lions swamped 5-0 back at the end of August,
That day Three Bridges proved easy meat for the goal-ravenous Lions, who were two up by half-time and sub Carlos Canha netted the fifth with 21 minutes remaining.
Soon afterwards a clash of heads meant the then new-boy was withdrawn and the visitors played the final quarter with 10 having made all their subs.
Canha is absent from the 16-man squad named for the return, the Madeiran being away for a few days over Christmas.
But otherwise it is a familiar looking group to take on a team that has been in top form the past couple of months
‘When we beat them first time that was a false marker. They’ve got just about a completely different team now, barring two or three,’ said Vance.
‘They have gone from the bottom to mid-table very quickly.’
Vance has every faith in his team to not only win today, but leapfrog Three Bridges in the table.
It seems well within their capabilities.
‘At the moment we’re luckily having minimal changes to the team and squad – that breeds consistency and continuity,’ says the coach.
‘I’m looking forward to the game and continuing with the new identity we have and keeping the rest of the league looking at us.’
Last week’s 1-1 draw at home to Whitstable Town saw Ryan-Zico Black turn the back the clock with a vintage command performance at the centre of midfield, the likes of which seemed impossible earlier in the season.
Vance paid the veteran this tribute:
‘You can only give him the utmost respect. I’ve got huge admiration for him.
‘His use of the ball and ability to keep it moving is good, but we have to make sure our selection is right to allow that. He’s a useful asset if the circumstances are correct.’
SQUAD: Cal Stanton, Jordan Kelly, Tom de la Mare, Frank Tobin, Jamie Dodd, Thomas Dodds, Keanu Marsh, Simon Geall, Ryan-Zico Black, Charlton Gauvain, Dave Rihoy, Seb Skillen, Matt Loaring, Glyn Dyer, Paris Pereira and Will Fazakerley.
