Boss grateful for timing of enforced lay-off

REDBRIDGE boss Kris Taylor believes the enforced lay-off will benefit his side after a previous run of four games in 12 days.

In that period, they played three of the top four teams in the Ryman Division One North and the Oakside boss feels it was starting to take its toll.

“Playing the best sides in the league in quick succession didn’t help,” said Taylor.

“The injuries started to occur, which made it even harder, and the break has helped in terms of getting them back to fitness.

“It would be tough for any side to play the likes of Wingate, Maldon & Tiptree and then Needham, who with their games in hand would be in the top three.”

“It wouldn’t have been easy against Ware if the game was given the go ahead, as they had hit a spell of form.

“With the games called off it has just come at the right time and I feel it will give us a boost.”

On-loan striker Ellis Skidmore has been recalled to Ryman Premier side Canvey Island, after hitting some good form for the Motormen, with six goals in nine games, but Taylor has acted quickly to fill the void, with the signing of Ellie Kayembe from Sittingbourne.

“That was always the deal with John Batch (Canvey Island manager) that if he had a good run or injuries he would call Ellis back,” he said.

“He had been superb for us in the time he had here and it is a shame to lose him.

“But we have brought Ellie in and hopefully he will be able to carry on where Ellis left.

“I have heard a lot of good things about him and he was recommended by Rod Stringer (Braintree Town boss), so I hope he can hit the ground running.”

Now his side are fresh and rejuvenated, Taylor will be hoping the Oakside pitch will be okay for the league game against Great Wakering Rovers at the weekend.

“We are doing all we can to get the game on, work will continue on the pitch as we really need to start getting games on and avoid congestion towards the end of the season, otherwise the results could become a complete lottery,” he said.

“They (Great Wakering) had a really good spell, winning five out of five and they got the manager of the month for October.

“But since then they are in a bit of poor form and it just shows how this league can go.

“We believe that looking at the next couple of fixtures and after the tough run we have had, we can get ourselves up the table.”

After the weekend clash with Great Wakering the Motormen boss prepares his side for the visit of Ryman Premier’s Tooting & Mitcham in the London Senior Cup on Tuesday evening, weather permitting.