Free Press Sport

Chepstow Town manager's promotion aim

12:00pm Thursday 26th August 2010

Chepstow Town AFC manager Ian Davies has said that this could be his last season in charge if he fails to get the club promoted back into the Welsh Football Leagues.

"There's no doubt that the club want to get back to the Welsh League. If I don't achieve it this year I wouldn't be surprised if the club looked at another option for next year," said Davies.

"It doesn't worry me. I've played for Chepstow Town all my life and I just want the club to do well. If someone does a better job in the future than me, then so be it. I just hope the players realise what's at stake this season."

Davies was speaking after his team slid to a disappointing 4-2 opening day defeat away at Undy Atheltic at the weekend.

It was a performance that was hugely deflating for Davies and his backroom staff.

"There are no excuses. I can't put my finger on why the players put in such a disappointing display, especially as it was the first game of the season. They just didn't play to their capabilities."

The result would have come as a big surprise to many given the excellent pre-season the club had experienced.

Undy took the lead thanks to a dubious decision to award a free kick in the first half but, despite the awful weather conditions, the game really sparked in the second half.

Matty Owen's goal had pulled Chepstow back into contention after Undy had scored their second of the afternoon thanks to some shoddy defending from the visitors.

But with Chepstow chasing the game, and switching three players up front, the defence were again exposed as Undy grabbed to late goals before Town notched a late consolation.

"The frustrating thing, for me, is that we didn't take our chances. I think we had 15 overall, Undy had seven and they converted four of them so credit must go to them." said Davies.

Chepstow will hope to bounce back immediately, when the play Abertillery Excelsiors this evening at home, a game in which Davies is expected to make at least two changes.

"It will be tough on the couple of players who are dropped but to be honest I could drop anyone after Saturday's performance, I am only going to make a couple of changes because I don't want to upset the balance of the side."

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