Andy Irvine Interview (05/12/13)

Interview by Matt Harris

The FA Vase Third Round is just days away. As we continue to look forward to the Saturday’s match at Culverden, www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk catches up with the man whose goal guided The Wells through a tough local derby in the last round to set up the encounter with Hanworth Villa.

TWFC: 37 minutes gone in a tight, cagey local derby and 1,200 supporters are inside Culverden making a real cup-game atmosphere. The ball breaks forward… Talk us, from your, and your team mates’ perspectives, through the goal that beat Crowborough to set up Saturday’s game with Hanworth Villa…

AI: Well we weren't playing well by our standards in that game. What we do well is get the ball out wide and attack teams with pace and power. So on 37 minutes when we did that, Jon Pilbeam finally got a cross in, and I scored from it! I always feel that when a good delivery is put in I will beat defenders and score, which happened!

TWFC: With your goal haul and all the memories of last season’s Vase run, followed by a dream local draw in Round Two this year, this must feel like the Cup that keeps on giving to you and your team mates, right…?

AI: It is a phenomenal cup competition and great for players and supporters at our level.

We need to make the most of it and do our best in every round to hopefully emulate some of the success from last year. If I can get a few goals along the way then great, but the team winning is more important!

TWFC: While Saturday’s match obviously doesn’t come with all the trimmings of a local derby like we had in the last round, can you explain what it will mean to the players? What are you expecting from each other and the crowd?

AI: We are expecting a huge response from the players. We have not been playing our best football of late, but it is coming together and we need to make it happen on Saturday! The crowd always delivers at Culverden. We just keep praying for home draws!

TWFC: So what do you expect Hanworth Villa to bring to the party? What have you heard about them?

AI: I imagine they will be like us and right up for the tie, knowing Wembley is the ultimate prize. I have not heard a thing about them. I prefer to judge them on the day and make my mind up that way!

TWFC: Let’s imagine you were manager preparing for this one: which of your team mates would you single out for a more ‘severe’ training regime and why?

AI: We all know who we would push more in training, but I won’t single them out! The whole team is being pushed to the limits in training at the moment, and competition for places is fierce. Hopefully this will start to come through in our games.

TWFC: Finally, you’re only just back from a lengthy lay-off. Were you watching much from the side-lines? Has it changed your perspective at all on the side/your team-mates?

AI: I watched as many games as I could, which was very hard when I didn't know when I would be able to get involved again.

To be honest, I was surprised at how good some of the football looked. Our quality from last year has increased with some good signings, but we need to gel and start building a successful run of results in the league as well as the cup competitions.