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Lydd Town manager Scott Porter sees his side’s Southern Counties East play-off push gather momentum
05:00, 02 March 2024
Lydd Town are on a roll in Southern Counties East after three successive victories.
The Lydders came from a goal down to win 3-1 at Fisher last weekend thanks to ex-boss James Rogers, Troy Howard and Dean Grant.
And they backed it up with a 1-0 success at Rusthall on Tuesday night where Harvey Welford, son of coach Shaun Welford, grabbed the winner.
Boss Scott Porter, who got his first win against old club Hollands & Blair the previous week, is encouraged by the improvement as they chase a play-off place.
The team are buying into the methods while players are returning to boost Town’s options.
“The Fisher and Rusthall games were positive away performances at tough places to go,” said Porter, whose side are 10th, now just six points off the play-offs.
“The Fisher one, it’s a long old slog up there and there was a little bit of spice because of what happened down at Lydd before I was in charge when the game abandoned.
“To come from a goal down to win was good and then at Rusthall we could have won by four or five.
“We’ve missed a penalty, hit the bar, hit the post and had two or three one-on-ones.
“We’ve been hard to beat and we’ve created chances and that’s exactly what I want out of my sides.
“It took a little bit of time, and there’s still work to do, but we’re getting the squad together now.
“When I first took over we were missing some big players and now you’re seeing the rewards as we get them back.
“People are buying into what I want.
“I want us to be organised but also be very good going forward.
“There’s a good vibe. There’s a buzz in the changing room.
“There’s a lot of quality in there, especially with players coming back from suspension and injuries.
“Winning games changes people’s mentality.
“It’s a changing room full of experience as well.
“There’s not a lot of kids in there and the kids that are in there are learning off the older ones.
“Three wins in a row, and unbeaten in four, it’s all positive.
“We’ve just got to keep chalking off these games with three points.”
Porter paid tribute to Rogers who stepped down as manager last month but remained on the playing staff.
It’s not the norm in football but having Rogers around has worked well.
“It was never going to be an issue,” said Porter.
“I’ve known Rodgo anyway.
“I’ve known him to talk to and I’ve had conversations with him.
“He’s been superb, as have all the boys, and the existing staff have gelled with me, Mark Lane and Shaun Welford.
“Rodgo’s been top-drawer. He’s played centre-back, left-back and now he’s back in midfield.
“He’s a quality player and a top lad. He’s fine. He’s good as gold.”
Midweek match-winner Harvey Welford followed Porter to Lydd from Hollands & Blair.
He has an eye for goal, like his dad, but the similarities end there.
“They’re completely different,” said Porter.
“Shaun was an old-fashioned centre-forward who bullied people and latched on to things and ran the channels.
“Harvey wants it at his feet and wants to run at people.
“He’s got great ability and a good future. He’s still learning but he’s going to learn a lot quicker with the team he’s in now.”
Lydd host fellow play-off contenders Punjab today and title-chasing Corinthian on Tuesday.
“These next two games are massive for us,” said Porter.
“We need to take all the positive stuff from the last three or four games into these next two because we’re playing sides above us and we want to catch them.”
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