20thnov05

Sunday 20th November 2005

Daish delighted as MacDonald muscles another win

Charlie MacDonald blasted the second goal to clinch a victory and break Gravesend & Northfleet's run of six games without a win.

MacDonald's goal - his ninth of the season - and an opener from Andy Drury gave the Kent club their first win over Altrincham.

Eighteen-year-old midfielder Bradley Johnson, on loan from Northampton Town, made an impressive home debut for the Fleet and manager Liam Daish made good on his promise to start another 18-year-old, Luke Moore.

"We had a tough few weeks so I am delighted with three points - that's all that matters in this game," Daish told the Non League Paper.

"Charlie Mac had a right ding-dong battle with their centre-half. He's a strong lad and he's got his goal. I've no complaints and he's made the first as well.

"He gets paid to score and with nine is doing very well."

But Daish was pleased with his players, despite fielding a young squad.

"At 2-0 ahead we needed more experience to keep the ball," he said.

"We've got a young set of lads if you take out Bobby Bowry and Jimmy Jackson, look at the average age of our side.

"Scott Gooding's 22, Ross Smith's 25, James Smith's just turned 20, Andy Drury 23, Charlie 24 and Luke Moore's just turned 18.

"I can understand how we were a bit tentative, but when it came down to it we did enough to keep a clean sheet.

"I have every belief in Luke (Moore). He's an intelligent lad and I would have played him even if I had a full squad available today.

"I love him to bits - and I think he's got a great future.

"We have a very happy dressing room. We've applied ourselves and it wasn't pretty, but it's three points and it's a results game."

MacDonald didn't see any problems with his goal, after wrestling his way past Gary Scott, the last defender before drilling the ball past Altrincham goalkeeper Stuart Coburn. "I managed to get my body there and I felt he went down a little too easily," he said. "Either that or he wants to get himself in the gym. I kept my composure and managed to slot it.

"We said we had to be better than them today as a team and individually, and I felt we were."