Badshot Lea co-manager Gavin Smith praised his side’s patience as they beat Tadley Calleva 2-0 in the Combined Counties Premier Division South on Saturday afternoon to keep their promotion push on track.
The match was meant to be played at the Baggies’ Westfield Lane ground, but a waterlogged pitch meant it was switched to the 3G pitch at Sheerwater.
The Baggies were unable to break the deadlock in the first half, despite controlling the game, and they had to rely on Jack Dean’s thunderous 20-yard strike to take the lead in the 61st minute.
Nick Medcraft sealed the three points on 90 minutes after Kane Fitzgerald’s effort had been well saved by the Tadley goalkeeper.
“We said to the lads at half-time to be patient, and that something will happen,” said Smith. “We didn’t want to be too expansive in trying to score. They listened, and it was a good strike from Jack.
“I didn’t think we started the game particularly well, but we grew into it.
“We had a lot of possession and got in some good areas, but didn’t have that killer instinct in the final third – which is unlike us. We’ve relied on a decent hit from Jack, which sometimes you need. We’ve got that quality in the side.
“Sometimes that’s what’s needed, and that’s why some teams fail to score and teams with good players – or players who can do that – will get something out of nothing.
“Jack knows a few of our boys and I know the Bracknell manager, so we managed to sort out getting him here on a dual-reg because he needed some games. I’m sure they’re going to need him back because they’ve got a lot of games, but while he’s been with us he’s done well.
“To get the second one right near the end was good to kill it off, but I didn’t feel they caused us any problems.
“They had one chance near the end that could have made it 1-1 – so you’ve always got to be switched on.”
Smith was pleased his side kept another clean sheet.
“I’ve not counted the clean sheets – I count them at the end of the season because I don’t want to jinx anything,” he said.
“Defensively we’ve been good – that’s a really pleasing thing because when I look at what you need to win leagues it’s scoring a lot of goals and not conceding goals.
“Although I was a striker, we like a clean sheet.”
Smith was happy to get Saturday’s game on, with his side facing a gruelling run of fixtures to finish the season.
“We’ve had to pay for the 3G so the club have done well by us, to be fair – I’ve got to thank them and give them credit for getting the game on,” he said.
“We pestered them about getting a 3G facility in case our ground wasn’t playable, because we didn’t want to be catching up another game in midweek because we’re already behind – so it was good to get the game on. Our pitch was definitely not playable.”
The Baggies travel to AFC Croydon Athletic on Saturday, before hosting Farnham Town on Easter Monday and Sheerwater next Thursday (April 13).
Badshot Lea travel to Balham on April 15 and Colliers Wood United on April 19, before finishing the league campaign at home to Fleet Town on April 22. Smith expects he will need to utilise his squad.
“We’ve got to keep everyone involved with all the games coming up,” he said.
“We’ve got matches on Saturday, Monday, Thursday and Saturday, so come Thursday we’ll look at it.”