Maidenhead Utd Women 0-1 Bridgwater United | Ed Jackson Norris Interview | 25th August 2024

okay so with Ed at the end of uh it's been a frustrating day Ed I think um considering an early goal and then uh a big injury um was really the nightmare first 20 minutes I guess wasn't it yeah yeah I think uh today's today's a bit of a sore one um quite a few things went against us that were outside of our control um injuries is disrupting the rhythm of the game quite a lot um we felt as if a few things didn't go away within the game as well but um despite it being disappointing the result and it being a sore on to take certainly can't fault the the effort and the application of the goals today um having to adapt to losing Kenny and goal within 10 or 15 minutes and and losing our one Center forward option Off the Bench um to rep Place her was was not in the the game plan obviously then having to adapt to to three or four different shape changes um a couple more injuries in the game as well um and they took it all within their stride and and kept kept pushing and trying to find a way to get back in the game um it's just is one of those today it just hasn't gone our way uh didn't quite get the moments in the final third that that we wanted um and having a little bit of a sucker punch on a set piece as well to to lose a bit of a killer as well let's talk about the standing goalkeeper you wanted her uh uh efforts up front perhaps in the second half as we're chasing the game but she's done fantastic for you is that is that part of the game plan that you've got ready made replacement or uh she was very modest when she spoke to us earlier oh no obviously it's not in the game plan um she's really about fifth or sixth Choice down in the list of goalkeepers but um she was outstanding today um you know was obviously a little bit nervous about doing it when when we were trying to fire fight when when Kenny got injured um but I took it on the G really well and was was so brave in what she was doing distribution was good put the ball at risk at at good times and still tried to get us playing the way that we wanted to play um and did what she could like come for crosses in the Box was Brave her handling was actually really good and she made some some pretty impressive stops in One V ones as well so in terms of how standings go and and in terms of like just doing your best and doing the job for the team um is he literally could not have done any better today yeah she was fantastic and it's good to get some debuts out there as well isn't there it's a young group we're going to have to be patient as they as they learn the game at this level yeah how do you think they did yeah I um uh it probably doesn't say it in my body language and it probably doesn't say it in the tone of my voice but I am I'm really really pleased with where we are as a group um we are a very young group nine teenagers involved in the group today plus another three who are 2021 so we are we are dead young it was exactly the same last week against moneyfields and as it has been throughout preseason um and they're having to learn not only stylistically the way that we want to play they're not only having to learn and build connections with their teammates but they're having to learn the women's game as well which is slightly different to to youth football the pressures are different the physicality is different the the feel of the game is different um and they're improving with that every single week like today we've been able to go against one of the sides with with one of the big bigger budgets in the league and we've been able to try and go toe-to-toe with them for periods um we got into the final third quite frequently uh we SE never felt as if we were getting bullied um despite how young we were like we won a lot of our Jewels for most of the game um and you can see we were tenacious all over the pitch we were quick to close people down weren't afraid of like never sh The Tackle um and that's improving every single game and the connections are getting there the relationships are getting there we just have to understand where we are as a club um and recognize that for the first couple of weeks of the Season there's going to be a few teething issues but we've got the patience in the coaching staff um the culture in the club is one that's going to give you time to grow and develop um so while we might have to lick our wounds and take a few results like this on the chin for for the early part of the Season we know that by the time it clicks maybe just before Christmas um we'll really hit our stride and you'll see what you'll see what maid United are really about them you've said so many times before Ed that the good thing about football is you get chance to go again and we've got a quick turn around to Thursday yeah uh which is great it's a Cup match we know what we do in Cup matches and also if I can speak maybe a bit out of turn it's kind of a free hit as well isn't it in terms of if the result doesn't go out away Thursday then we we we'll continue in one competition or another so it's one to look forward to on Thursday yeah I mean Cup games always one to look forward to you say we know what we're do in couple games let's normally go behind and then come from behind to win um I'd like just a straightforward result to be honest with you on Thursday um but you're right like in football you can never be to down like you always get another goal Thursday we get another go it's a quick turnaround it's a proper home game get to play at York Road on Thursday so that would be good um it' be nice if we can get as many people down today and then a few extras uh to make the journey for that one and give the girls as much support as as we possibly can and then obviously it's another big game against Bournemouth sport on Sunday again at York Road so two opportunities to try and try and correct the the outcomes that we've had first couple of weeks of the season um but we'll go we'll do us um we'll do our best we'll leave everything out there and then whatever happens happens let's look forward to Thursday Ed thanks very much and unfortunate today well done [Music]