News

Manor Farm travel to Wimborne in the first qualifying round of the FA Trophy

On Thursday evening, Lee Lashenko, his coaching staff, and the first-team players gathered at The Creek for their final training session ahead of the 2022/23 Southern League season. Our latest interview features Assistant Grantley Dicks and Goalkeeper Ben John who discuss pre-season and Saturday’s opener against Bashley FC.

Described as a ‘mixed-bag’ by Manager Lashenko during his interview on Official BMF TV this week, the Farm’s record reads W4 D1 L3 for pre-season – and Dicks beleives that now is the time for the ‘real stuff’ as Farm look forward to visiting the New Forrest this weekend.

“I’ve never been a big fan of pre-season really,” started Dicks. “It’s all well and good for getting people fit for the new season, but what do you get at the end of the day? You don’t get your three points until the big games kick-off.

Pre-season hasn’t just been about the results for Manor Farm, with the club looking to strenghten its assets both on and off the field. The club welcomed Luke Stevens as the club’s new Physiotherapist, as well as the returning ‘Kitmen’ Phil Giles, Richard Lloyd, and John Chilcott. In addition, exciting attackers Evander Grubb and Marcus Day joined the mostpart of the Farm’s 2021/22 squad – and Dicks beleives that adding quality will only help the club in their search for success this year.

“If you add quality to quality it’s always going to help,” Dicks said. “Competition for places will be higher than ever and we have to start the season as well as we finished last year.

“Even years and years ago, the Southern League was a tough old league, and it always has been. We know they (Bashley) will be a very tough side as they have the same aspirations as us – to reach the play offs or win the league – so we need to go their with the right frame of mind,” Dicks expressed.

One player who has been standout for the Farm since his arrival is the master shot stopper John. The experienced keeper collected the ‘Supporters Player of the Year’ accolade at the end of last season, and is hoping for another stellar season inbetween the sticks at The Creek this season.

“Off the back of last year, everyone will be looking at us to be the big boys in the this year, and given time I think we will,” John proclaimed.

“We will go down to Bashley this Saturday with what we’ve got, and once we find our rhythm, I believe we will do very well.

“Collectively I think we have more depth this season, and with Marcus and Evander proving to be big impact players this pre-season we should be aiming to reach the play-offs as a minimum target for us.

The Portwaymen achieved their best finish in the league last season, with the highest home crowd recorded at The Creek – but had a patchy start to life in 2021/22. With the club setting their sights on the same goal, John feels that the Farm need to replicate the form shown towards the end of last season right at the begining of this one.

“We looked great last season both at the back and in attack,” John said. “If we can maintain that form early doors, get into our rhythm and show more consistency in our play then we’re heading for a successful season without a shadow of a doubt,” John expressed.

Bristol Manor Farm’s preparations ahead of the 2022/23 season continue to gather pace, as the club will face strong Western League opposition both home and away this week. First, the club travels to Manager Lee Lashenko’s former club Bishop Sutton on Tuesday evening, followed by a home clash against Roman Glass at The Creek on Thursday. In our latest interview, we caught up with Lashenko ahead of this week’s action.

After a heavy defeat to Penybont six days ago, Bristol Manor Farm will dust themselves down as they prepare to take on Shirehampton at The Creek on Friday evening. Speaking to the club from his short trip away to Portugal, Manager Lee Lashenko reflects on last Saturday’s defeat, and what we can expect from tomorrow night’s pre-season friendly at The Creek.

Penybont showed their class, and they’re one of, if not, the best side we’ve faced,” Lashenko said.

“During the first half, I saw moments where we were able to match them, but in the second half, the better team won.

“Losing heavily is never pleasant, but we must thank the club and secretary Rachael for organising the match, from which we will learn from. Penybont were a class side and we wish them good luck for the new season,” Lashenko said.

In less than 24 hours time, Lashenko’s men will return to The Creek for the first time since the scintillating 2-2 draw against Winchester City on the last day of the 2021/22 season. The Farm’s opponents Shirehampton, however, will be no strangers to The Creek – having agreed a ground share deal prior to last year’s campaign. As with all matches, Lashenko emphasised the importance of giving respect to Shire.

“I have the utmost respect for what Chair Pete McCall and Manager Liam Greening are doing at the club, and they have my full support ahead of their new season in the Toolstation Western League next year,” said Lashenko.

“I’ve had conversations with my players about expectations, and we will be taking Shirehampton very seriously. We want to win the game, and for us to show a bit more consistency in our performances.

“As happy as I was at 5-0, I was just as pleased with 0-0 at half time against Ashton & Backwell – because we were creating chances and working well as a unit. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to repeat that against Penybont, but we’re looking forward to playing back at The Creek and in front of our home supporters,” Lashenko expressed.

Supporters can gain entry to The Creek at a reduced price, with Adults ticket prices falling to just £5, concessions at £3 and Under-16s at £1. We hope to see as many of the Farmy Army at The Creek for what’s set to be an enjoying evening of local football.

With the players reporting to pre-season training this week, Manager Lee Lashenko was pleased to confirm that the following players are signed and available for the 2022/23 Southern League season:

Ben John, Mason Winter, Steve Kingdon, Stuart Tovey, Josh Ford, Sam Boulton, Aron Robbins, Theo Llewelyn, Mike Bryant, George Fowler, Lloyd Mills, Evander Grubb, Jayden Neilsen, Harry Lucas, Jake Gosling, Kye Simpson, Owen Howe, and Ben Bament.

After finishing as runners-up in last season’s campaign, every first-team player from that squad, except Dean Stamp and Shea Bennington-Mannings (Larkhall AFC), has committed to the cause in attempting to push the football club that crucial one step further.

Speaking to the club, Lashenko heaped praise on his squad and highlighted the importance of retaining the group’s togetherness.

“Despite losing out on the final day, if you take a look at our form from Christmas onwards, we were the strongest team in the division last season,” Lashenko began.

“My main priority this summer was to keep as many of that group, and I’m so pleased that we’ve nailed down so many of them for the upcoming season.”

On Thursday evening, it was confirmed that Evander Grubb will return to the club from the Huddersfield Town Academy on loan until October, and will then sign permanently when his contract expires with the Terriers.

“As both manager and supporter of this football club, I’m really excited to see Evander add his quality to our already fantastic squad of players.

“With the quality of forwards that we have here, such as Jake Gosling, Owen Howe, and Ben Bament, their abilities are only going to raise Evander’s standards that extra amount this season,” Lashenko said.

“He’s raring to go, and with the pre-season just around the corner now is the perfect time to gel him into our squad.”

In addition to the first-team players, the Farm will be joined by Junior Soper’s U18 squad who too have a big point to prove after winning the Western Counties Floodlight Youth League last season.

“People seem to think that our U18 side gets overlooked, but that’s certainly not the case,” Lashenko expressed.

“We purposely sent them out on loan to gain first-team experience, and just look at what they achieved last season. They will be given the opportunity to train with us, and we’re delighted to have already offered one player, Harry Lucas, a contract with us for next season,” Lashenko said.

The Farm heads to Penydarren Park on Tuesday night, and we are pleased to confirm that we will be running a supporters coach to Merthyr. Seats are priced at £10 per person, and the bus will depart The Creek at 5pm. To book, please contact club secretary Rachael Casswell on 07767 633549 for further details.