MANAGER James Taylor led by example as Team Solent limbered up for the latest challenge in their Southampton Senior Cup defence with a 2-1 league win at Whitchurch United on Saturday.
Taylor, 41, brought himself off the bench after losing defender Ollie Goddard to injury and the former England non-League international striker ended up scoring the winner with a far-post tap-in.
Taylor, whose side face Brockenhurst on Wednesday (7.30pm) in the SSC semi-final at Sholing’s Silverlake Arena, said: “Our centre-half got injured just after half-time, so we went three at the back and needed an extra man up front.
“It’s nice to score every now and then. I think that’s double figures for me for the season - I don’t know how!”
Tobi Adekunle had put Solent 1-0 up in the Sydenhams Premier showdown before Jack McCarthy replied for the Jam Boys.
“It was a tricky game with the wind coming down the hill and the pitch made it difficult to pass,” said Taylor.
“But it was a pleasing victory given all the games we’d played and Lewis Pitts, a first-year student who is just breaking through, did very well in midfield. He’s going to be a very good player for us.”
Star men Jesse Waller-Lassen and Sam Byles, both rested on Saturday, should be back to face Brockenhurst.
“No-one’s injured apart from Ollie, who’s 50-50, so we’re fairly strong,” said Taylor.
“It’ll be a tricky game against Brock, but it’s important we try and get to the final having won it last year.”
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