EARLSWOOD TOWN 5-3 LANE HEAD: REPORT AND COMMENTS BY DANNY JANES & ADE LUXTON...

Ade Luxton picked up his first win as Earlswood Town manager as his side beat Lane Head 5-3. Town had 9 debutants in the side with the club undertaking big changes over the summer in terms of management, staff and players. 

Earlswood started brightly, retaining possession and working hard off the ball to support the play. The home side took a deserved lead when an inch-perfect Luke Williams cross was met by defender Courtney Sowe. Lane Head replied immediately, Earlswood failed to pick up their men from a corner and the away side made it 1-1. 

Earlswood continued with their fluent football, this time Danny Janes released Dan Stokes, he squared the ball for Danny Holliday who finished off the move. It was Earlswood who then failed to learn from their mistakes; another Lane Head corner was not dealt with and the rebound from a clearance off the goal-line was smashed home. 

The away side then took the lead for the first time in the game after being awarded a penalty, which was calmly slotted home. Earlswood showed character to bounce back when Holliday produced a moment of magic as he hit a half-volley from 30 yards into the roof of the net. Earlswood then took the lead when they were awarded a penalty and Holliday slotted it home to complete his hat-trick. 

The second-half started at a slightly slower pace, with both teams eager not to concede the next goal. It was the home side who got it though, when a poor throw-in from an away defender was latched onto by Stokes and he found Williams, who buried the ball into the bottom corner of the net. 

Both sides continued to create chances, with home goalkeeper Fraser Oliver showing good handling skills as Lane Head probed. Nick Cox almost found himself on the score sheet after his shot was expertly palmed away. Earlswood defended well to see out the game and pick up three points from the opening game of the season.

Manager Ade Luxton made the following comments: 

"Obviously I'm delighted to start the season with three points. I stressed to the squad before the game the importance of winning the first match, especially as it was at home. After half an hour when the score was 3-3, I honestly thought it would end up about 7-6, but we managed to get in front before half-time. We tweaked a couple of things in the second-half and once we went two goals up it was a question of game management to see us over the line."

Debutant Danny Janes was pleased with aspects of the performance: 

"I thought during the first 30 minutes we were excellent in terms of ball retention and patterns of play. We kept the ball moving at speed and caused our opponents a lot of problems. Yes, you could argue that after half an hour it was 3-3, but we were in complete control and we let ourselves down by conceding some really poor goals. 

Second-half the game fizzled out, we stopped shortening our play and the game became very much back to front. I felt that was a period of the game where we needed to keep the ball on the floor and be clever. However, we did not concede a goal in the second-half and we picked up the most important thing: three points.

The most enjoyable element for me was just being a player again; I turned up and did not have to worry about the logistics of the day, I could just focus on playing which was really enjoyable. From a personal perspective I was pleased with the first-half; I thought myself, Nick Cox and Mat Fearon dominated possession over their midfield. Second-half I could not influence the game as much as I should have, I think the fitness showed after not playing for a year but that will come with a few more games. We have a great set of lads at the club, Ade and Jim have set the team up correctly and professionally which is the main reason I signed. I am really looking forward to the season ahead."