Cup exits frustrate YM manager
YM MANAGER John Suter has been left bitterly disappointed by his sides showing in the cup competitions this season but remains up beat about their title chances.
"I am pleased with the season so far - you can always say that there are things that could have gone better and that you are not pleased with," said Suter.
"The most disappointing thing is to be out of the FA Vase. Losing to Chessington & Hook - who we are better than but were not on the day, in awful conditions and they are still in the competition. It still hurts now.
"It was our ambition to still be in the Vase after Christmas. Another disappointment was to go out of the League Cup to a Division 2 sides - we had a realistic chance of winning it," he added.
The reigning County League Division 1 champions are in a good position to defend their title - seven points adrift of Ringmer, in second place but with two games in hand.
"The league performances have been OK, we've only lost two games. The game at Arundel was a dour affair and Ringmer could have gone either way. There have been ones where we have nicked them.
"Kris Trevor scored a last minute goal against Eastbourne when perhaps they didn't deserve to lose so it is swings and roundabouts.
"Everything is still in the melting pot,"commented the YM boss who is hopeful of the championship but remains cautious of their rivals.
"Our ambitions have got to be to win every game we play in. I would like to do well in the RUR Cup and retain the league title - it is always more difficult second time around.
"We have got as good a chance as anyone with the squad we have got if we can keep it together but Ringmer are in the driving seat - if they win all their games there is nothing we can do about it. Whitehawk are always likely to emerge from the pack, they are becoming stronger. I don't know too much about Crowborough but I think that Whitehawk are the side to watch in 2006," he added.
YM have added quality, such as Kris Trevor to the title winning side as well as Matt Russell and Dave Gellatly during the season.
"All of our players are important - the goalkeeper, defenders, playmakers and goalscorers.
Matt Russell has been a good signing - he is a good player, a proper centre forward. He holds the ball up well as you would expect from someone who has played for Bognor for some time. Dave Gellatly is a good signing as well, very strong on the ball.
"I might have to get myself another forward if Ali Russell commits himself to rugby," remarked Suter, who is looking forward to the big derby against Three Bridges on Boxing Day.
"Kris Trevor will be " back for Boxing Day's big game with Three Bridges. They have been doing quite well recently, it will be a tough test.
A local derby between two teams with passion, there isn't a lot of love lost but I get on with the people there. They've got Nick Flint, Clinton Moore, Gary Bidwell and Ali Rennie of course who all used to be with us.
"Barry Westgate could be back on the bench as Joel O'Hara was last week. Those three - if fit - will be on the bench with possibly Ali Russell. Tom Carter will hopefully be back and Ben Fitzgerald is desperate to be involved," added the YM supremo.
Three Bridges will provide a tough test for YM but they have lost five out of their last seven games - the latest being a 4-3 extra-time defeat against Crowborough Athletic.
In comparison the Gorings Mead side have won five out of their last seven games in league and cup but with local derbies the form book can often be thrown out of the window.