THE NEW Alport squad are now more than halfway through their pre-season programme and have put together some eye-catching performances in each of the four friendlies played to date.

We’re now just over a fortnight away from the curtain raiser against Daisy Hill at Yockings Park, and the squad have set a high bar in a surprisingly short period.

But demanding gaffer Luke Goddard wants even more from his talented bunch: “It’s been a positive beginning in our new surroundings,” he said.

“With having to build a new squad within a new club for myself and Carl, it was always going to take a little bit of time for the lads to settle and gel together as a team. So for 20 new faces to click into place in just four weeks is a credit to all involved.

 “We have no specific timescale here; all we want as a group is to show continued progression and that has been apparent so far. 

“The squad is young and that lack of experience could be a potential downfall in certain games this year, especially in the winter months. However, as a group they’re fearless and they already have a mentality to be successful here. 

“Some of the football played against quality opposition we’ve hosted has been really impressive. I think we’ve definitely surprised a few and also those watching on from the sidelines.   We’re now looking forward to stepping things up again over the next few weeks; standards have to continue to improve. We’ve played very well in spells of games but I don’t get too carried away with what happens in pre-season. 

“As much as we’ve played well, scored some great goals, each goal we’ve conceded I’ve been  disappointed with so a clean sheet on Saturday was the most pleasing thing for me. 

“We need to cut out those little errors to prevent us from conceding soft goals and we’ll iron that out before we get going.

 “We’re all very grateful for the support we’ve had from the locals. We want the people of Whitchurch to get up Black Park Road and get a feel for what we’re trying to build up here. 

“I don’t expect anyone to judge this group until December when we will have had a good six months together. 

“Until such time, as I’m sure many will have seen already, we can all see the quality we have and that will help us move in the direction we want Alport to go. 

“My message is simple: please come to the ground and try to bring a friend along. We want to entertain the public and it’s a huge help to see good numbers on our home ground. That will be invaluable in helping us put points on the board.”

*A full page of Whitchurch Alport news appears in this week's Whitchurch Herald.