Flackwell Heath are 'cooking up' a title challenge, says Richardson

Flackwell Heath manager Marcus Richardson has said his team are ‘cooking’ after a thrilling 4-0 victory over Shrivenham FC boosted the reds to the top of the league on Tuesday.

Richardson’s in-form side now face a frustrating one-month wait until their next Hellenic League fixture due to the national lockdown imposed from today (Thursday) until Wednesday, December 2.

But despite the frustration, Richardson was delighted at the performance, which rounded off an incredible start to the season for the reds. Richardson said: “The boys believe in themselves and that’s all I ask for, it’s what I’ve seen in them for a couple of years.

“The truth is that I feel like we’ve had the ingredients for a little while and now I feel like we’re cooking.

“I’m hoping at the end of the season we can serve.”

An impressive away performance on Tuesday night saw Flackwell Heath net two goals either side of half time.

The team got off to a fast start thanks to Adam Thomas, finishing from a low cross before Jack Taylor’s ‘cross-turned-shot’ flew past the keeper to double the lead.

The reds showed their title credentials in the second half by continuing to apply pressure. Ashley Howell tucked the third goal away after running onto a long through ball and sliding a shot under the goalkeeper, before Khalid Simmo capitalised on a defensive error and blasted one in from 25 yards to complete the rout.

Richardson was impressed by his side’s performance, which followed a 2-0 FA Vase victory over Frimley Green FC on Saturday, but still felt his side could have netted a few more.

Looking ahead towards lockdown, the manager was frustrated that his side are being interrupted while they are in full flow, but is confident they will maintain their fitness levels during the break.

He said: “It’s very frustrating but I don’t think the lads will let their standards slip.I’m putting a programme together for them and I know they will carry on working hard.”