Manager John Askey expressed how pleased he was with his sides performance following their 1-1 draw away at Colchester United to kick off the new season.
The gaffer was left happy by the many positives displayed by the way his team played at the JobServe Community Stadium, as they picked up their first point of the season in a difficult clash against one of the favourites for promotion.
Askey’s side started the game brilliantly, and he thought they controlled the opening well, playing some good football and showing how hard they had worked in preparation for the game.
It took just five minutes for the Valiants to take the lead, when the man with the armband, Tom Pope, got his first goal of the campaign, rifling a penalty into the top corner after Manny Oyeleke was brought down.
The good football and pressure continued throughout the half, making the late Luke Norris equaliser, following a goal mouth scramble, even more disappointing for the boss.
Despite the strong display, Askey still knows there are things to be worked on to get the side to where they want to be.
He said: “It was pleasing, I was pleased with the start we made, I thought for the first 25 minutes we bossed the game.
“We deserved it [the goal], even though it was only four minutes in, we were causing them problems, what was pleasing was the stuff that we worked on, how well we kept the ball.
“We’re looking to improve as the season goes on, but it is a start, and a point away from home is always good.”
The way the team was able to transfer what had been worked on during pre-season, onto the field for the game was a big positive for the gaffer.
He has been working with his team to develop an exciting style of football, where passing and possession are key, a way of football that people enjoy to watch, and that was shown in the game.
The boss was also glad how his team were able to switch the play depending on how the game was going, as they worked hard defensively when Colchester were in control.
He said: “If you keep working hard and get an understanding between players, then hopefully it’ll stand us in good stead.
“I think it’s important that you keep the ball, but you don’t just keep it and go backwards, that you get good movement, people making runs forward and that we become exciting to watch.
“We won’t get carried away, but it’s a start, three points at home and a point away, we’d be happy with that, so that’s the aim.”