Green Room Diaries: We deserved our first win against Grays (From Gazette Series)

Forest Green manager Dave Hockaday gives an insight into the latest activities at the New Lawn

9:32am Tuesday 29th September 2009 in Sport

KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS arrived very well prepared and in the first half played the best football I have seen this season in the Conference.

We were not able to cope with their narrow diamond in midfield and we escaped into the dressing room only a goal down.

Cool heads and calm instructions allowed us to reorganise. I gave the players a lot of information and instructions and my only concern was that it would overload their systems.

This was to prove unfounded as we went on to dominate the second half, equalise and have chances to win the game. A draw was a fair result and I was delighted with my team’s effort in the second period.

Wednesday was a rest day and I managed to get the player I had been chasing, Tom Ameobi - a young, hungry striker who needs first team matches.

Thursday was dealing again with all the knocks and niggles and Friday was preparing shape and set plays for Grays Athletic.

First half we started well and scored early through Rigg, who definitely benefited from having a big centre forward to play off.

I was disappointed that we failed to capitalise on our superiority and sure enough we went to sleep early in the second half to allow Grays back into the game.

Nevertheless my players responded well and although we made hard work of it we deserved our first win and the three points, Preece scoring the second from a well worked set play.

We must be more clinical in front of goal and become a cleverer team. There is still lots to work on but we are now undefeated in five.