Soham boss admits Lady Luck needed ahead of Christmas run-in

The Greens succumbed to a fifth Eastern Counties Premier Division loss in their last seven games at home to high-flying Harleston Town on November 26. 

Soham, dogged by injuries, illnesses and suspensions, made five changes to the team that lost at Lakenheath on November 18, including the influential Alfie Connor who has left the club for Mildenhall Town. 

“I take full responsibility as manager and we have to do what we can to put it right,” said Soham boss Lloyd Groves. 

“We set up to play a certain style and have found ourselves come up short.” 

Ollie Ward delivers a cross for Soham Town Rangers vs Harleston Town. (Image: Daniel Mason)

Soham went behind inside the opening two minutes after Nathan Stone’s close range effort, before Ollie Ward equalised for a resurgent hosts. 

GOAL! @SohamTownRanger 1-1 @HarlestonTownFC: Soham have looked lively since going behind, and hit back from a corner. Jordan Gent collects inside the visitors’ penalty box and Ollie Ward slots into the bottom corner. Game on! 12’ #greens

— Dan Mason (@DanMasonSport) November 26, 2022

Second-placed Harleston, who have lost two from 12 away games in all competitions this season, restored their lead on 21 minutes before sealing victory when substitute Jake Anema poked home after half-time. 

“Harleston are a good side and have some individual players that are dangerous,” said Groves. 

“Whether it’s this level [of football] or the World Cup, you concede within two minutes and you face an uphill battle.” 

HT: @SohamTownRanger 1-2 @HarlestonTownFC: Goals from Nathan Stone and Rob Turner either side of Ollie Ward’s strike give the high-flying visitors a slim advantage. Entertaining game of football so far, including some impressive goalkeeping from Niall Conroy in the #greens goal.

— Dan Mason (@DanMasonSport) November 26, 2022

Groves believes all of Harleston’s goals, two of which came from right-sided crosses, were “fundamentally unacceptable” to concede by a Soham team lying in 14th place. 

The Greens chief has tried to improve the squad during his tenure, but has been unsuccessful as the second half of the season approaches. 

Lloyd Groves admits Soham Town Rangers are in need of luck ahead of their December run-in. (Image: Daniel Mason)

And Groves believes his team needs some luck to lift their form in December, when two of their next three games are against sides around them in the table. 

“When you’re in a rut, sometimes you need luck on your side and we haven’t had that,” said Groves. 

“We head into some tough fixtures which we will prepare for like any other game, and hopefully we’ll be successful.” 

FT: @SohamTownRanger 1-3 @HarlestonTownFC: Tempers flared at times in a second half that Soham were unable to use to come back into this contest. Harleston added a third from a set piece, which ultimately killed off a valiant home side. #greens

— Dan Mason (@DanMasonSport) November 26, 2022

Soham visit Whitton United on December 3, 3pm. 

*Ely City returned to action in the same division after 11 days away with a 2-0 win at Kirkley & Pakefield. 

The Robins host Sheringham at the Demcom Stadium also on December 3, 3pm.

Soham Town Rangers: Conroy; Mochalski, Olive, Kaye (C) (sub Auger, 87’), Spencer, Gent, Ward, Rhaman (sub Brown, 57’), Sharman, Mulready (sub Sutcliffe, 90’+4), Carden.

Unused sub: Groves.

Referee: Mr Kevin Harrington.

Attendance: 72.