A frustrating start for Brackley Town boss Wilkin

Injury problems are playing a part in the early stages of the Saints' season
Captain Gaz Dean's absence has been felt by Brackley Town in the early stages of the seasonCaptain Gaz Dean's absence has been felt by Brackley Town in the early stages of the season
Captain Gaz Dean's absence has been felt by Brackley Town in the early stages of the season

Kevin Wilkin admits he is suffering a bit of early-season frustration after a mixed start for Brackley Town.

The Saints made progress in the Emirates FA Cup last weekend as they fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Billericay Town before winning the resulting penalty shoot-out to move into the third qualifying round.

But that was followed by a 3-0 defeat at AFC Telford United in their opening Vanarama National League North game of the season on Tuesday night.

Brackley host Curzon Ashton on Saturday and, by then, boss Wilkin is hoping the injury problems which have seen captain Gaz Dean, Glenn Walker and summer signing Ashley Chambers sidelines might have eased a bit.

“It’s frustrating because our first-half performance at Telford was good and there were large parts of the second half which were good,” the Saints boss said.

“But you can’t gift teams penalties and once you are behind away from home it’s always tough to get back into it.

“It is early but you want to get your league season up and running as quickly as possible. We know it’s a tough league, we are under no illusions about that.

“We are having to play some lads out of position because of the injury problems we have got and that doesn’t help the situation.

“We have shipped five goals in two games and I am not sure we even conceded three in one game last season. Does that tell a story? Maybe so. Gaz is a big player for us and he’s our captain.

“But we have also got Glenn Walker out and Ash Chambers has come to the club for this season and he is also injured so that’s three big players.

“Everyone gets injuries, I am not making any excuses about that but shipping goals isn’t something we have been guilty of and we do miss these big players.

“We will have a look at Gaz ahead of the weekend. He did a bit of work on Tuesday and we will take it day-by-day but what I don’t want to do is rush him back and then lose him for a longer period.”

Saturday’s game is followed by another home match next Tuesday night and it’s a big one after Brackley were paired with Northamptonshire rivals Kettering Town in the third qualifying round draw of the FA Cup.

And Wilkin has mixed feelings over the clash.

He added: “It’s ironic really. You can’t get crowds in and then that great tie for the county comes out of the hat.

“It’s just so disappointing that people aren’t allowed to come in and watch it. It’s sod’s law that it should happen in this season.

“But it will still be a close-fought game. There’s not a lot between the two sides and I think it’s one both clubs will look forward to.”