Looking For Big Response - 21st November

Mark Love has urged Shrivenham to bury their FA Vase disappointment by halting the Shortwood juggernaut in the FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division tomorrow.

Shrivvy bowed out of the knockout competition on Wednesday night, downed 4-1 by Hamworthy United in the second round replay.

Love, who welcomes back the Gill brothers Bradley and Taylor as well as Scott Scanlon from suspension, admitted: “It was disappointing because we didn’t perform on the night. But we’ve got to pick ourselves up now and I’ll be looking for a reaction from the boys. Shortwood are on fire at the moment, if they win their games in hand they’ll be top, so it doesn’t get any easier for us. But I’ll be looking for a big response.’’

Last Gasp Goals Deny Shrivvy - 17th November

Shrivenham have it all to do again on Wednesday night after conceding in the final minute of extra-time in their FA Vase tie against Hamworthy United. The reward for the winners is a home tie against Hungerford Town.

The sides drew 2-2 at the Recreation Ground after it looked as though Chris Cox’s goal was enough to see Shrivvy progress. However, a lack of concentration with seconds remaining allowed the visitors to equalise from a corner and Shrivenham boss Mark Love could not hide his disappointment at having to replay the tie.

“It was a cracking cup game,” he revealed. “They equalised in the final minute of extra-time which was really frustrating and it was just a shame that we couldn’t hold on for the win. The boys worked their socks off and did brilliantly to go ahead during extra-time, but we were caught out at a corner in the last minute and it was frustrating more than anything. For a lot of the players it’s their first experience of playing in the Vase and it’s my first time in it as a manager as well so it’s a real learning curve for us all. But we think we did enough to beat Hamworthy and we’ll have to go down there on Wednesday and do it again.”

Shrivvy went ahead two minutes before the break when James Lewis fed Michael Silvanus to fire home, but Hamworthy were back on level terms immediately after the restart through an own goal.

With neither side able to find a winner the tie went into extra-time and Cox thought he had clinched Shrivvy a spot in the next round when he tapped home Silvanus’ cross with just five minutes remaining. However, Hamworthy’s last-gasp equaliser forced a replay on Wednesday night in Dorset.

Hungerford meet the winners on 6th December.

Hoping For Repeat - 14th November

Shrivenham will be hoping to repeat last season’s heroics in the competition as they entertain Hamworthy United in the FA Carlsberg Vase.

Shrivvy reached the last 32 before exiting at the hands of Newcastle-based Dunston Federation, and new manager Mark Love has already been well-versed in the club’s history.

“We’ve only got three players still here from last season and our captain Mark Peters has been telling us all about their run last season and how good it was. We would love something similar this year.”

Confident Love - 7th November

Mark Love is confident his side can continue their resurgent run away against Old Woodstock Town. Shrivvy have netted 15 goals in their last four games, and Love revealed confidence in the camp is high.

“The boys are buzzing at the moment and we’re really looking forward to Saturday,” he said. “It was nice to have no midweek game for a change because it gave us chance to work on one or two things in training. We are scoring for fun at the moment, but we need to tighten up at the back. That is something we worked hard on the other night, so hopefully we can keep a clean sheet this weekend.”

Injured striker Ben Carter is the only absentee for Shrivenham tomorrow.

Gill's Open Their Shrivvy Accounts - 4th November

A debut strike from Bradley Gill (left) in the last minute, plus a first goal for the club by Taylor Gill, helped Shrivenham achieve 3-3 draw away at Hook Norton in the FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division on Saturday. But boss Mark Love was left to bemoan his side’s defensive frailties after letting the hosts back in it.

Shrivvy were two up at half time thanks to Mark Peters and Taylor Gill (right), the youngster’s first for the club since joining from Fairford. But some sloppy defensive play allowed Hook Norton to score three second half goals, before Bradley Gill, who only signed from fierce local rivals Highworth Town last week, snatched a point with time running out.

Love admitted: “It was definitely a case of two points lost rather than one gained. We played some lovely stuff, and going forwards we were very impressive, it was so positive. But because we put so much emphasis on attack sometimes it left us a bit open at the back."

“We didn’t defend well enough as an 11. It’s disappointing and we’ll work in training this week to put that right. Hook Norton were sixth in the league. We took a point off them and are disappointed with it, that shows just how far we’ve come as a team over the course of the season.”

The Results Are Coming Now - 27th October

Shrivvy leapfrogged arch rivals Highworth Town in the Hellenic League Premier Division table after a 6-1 demolition of Abingdon Town at "The Rec".

“It was a brilliant all round performance by the boys,” said a beaming Mark Love afterwards. “Things have finally started to click and the belief is there for everyone to see. I’ve got the players that I want and we’re playing the way I want them to, and the results are coming now.

“Our chairman was delighted on Saturday. He came into the changing room with a big smile on his face because we had just gone above Highworth in the table. They have got several games in hand of course, but it was a nice feeling all the same.”

Love Raising The Stakes - 24th October

Mark Love has been forced to re-assess his targets' for the season as his Shrivenham side put a poor start to the campaign well and truly behind them to stride up the FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division.

Shrivvy are at home against Abingdon tomorrow knowing that three points could push them into the top 10, a far cry from their early form which saw them win just one of their first seven league games.

Having taken over at SN6 in the summer, Love, pictured right, was forced to almost rebuild from scratch, and admits survival was originally his main aim, but the boss is now eyeing up a midtable finish.

He admitted: “We’re going out to win, we’ve got to get the three points. We’ve played a couple of extra games to other teams but a win would put a bit of a gap between us and the lower sides and that cushion would give everyone loads of confidence. We had a really tough start, we had to start all over again as there are only two players left from last season and it’s a really young side. My aim was to stay up, but the way things have gone in recent weeks we’re now looking at midtable. We’re building something good here and hopefully we’ll continue to get better over the next few years.”

Shrivvy are without Michael Silvanus, who is working, while striker Ben Carter is a doubt with an ankle knock.

Shrivvy Sink Three In The Heath - 15th September

Paul Sander’s (pictured left) predatory brace helped Shrivenham to their first away win of the season in the absence of manager Mark Love.

With Love attending a wedding, assistant boss Rob Hopkins (right) took the reins for the trip to Flackwell Heath, and it was smiles all round for Shrivenham at the final whistle. Sander’s double was complimented by a Shane Davis strike as Shrivvy netted all three points with a 3-1 win.

“That victory was fully deserved and hopefully we can kick on from here now,” said Hopkins. "We have played quite well in the last three matches too, but just not been able to convert our chances. That was the difference on Saturday.

“Paul Sander and Shane Davis were excellent up front, they were clinical. It was a nice to tell Mark we had won the game and make his day.”

Sander latched onto a Jonny Dart through ball to tuck home Shrivvy’s first after 28 minutes. Davis put further daylight between the sides just before the break when Sander charged down the goalkeeper’s kick and he stroked in the loose ball.

Flackwell pulled a goal back with an excellent finish from Nathan Jack. But Shrivvy made the points safe two minutes from time, Sander collecting Mike Scarfe’s pass before steering the ball past the on-rushing goalkeeper.

“Hopefully that win will give us a spring board to push on now,” said Hopkins afterwards. “I think it was a psychological thing before, with the players not quite believing in themselves. But we have gone to Flackwell, who have made a decent start, and outplayed them from start to finish.This is a big confidence boost.”

Mark Love Announced As New Manager - 23rd June

Shrivenham FC of the FTL Futbol Hellenic Premier Division has appointed Mark Love as First Team Manager and will take over with immediate effect.

Love who was due to join One West club Pewsey Vale has been released from his agreement with the ‘Vale’ who will re-commence their search for a new manager.

Shrivenham Chairman Robb Forty confirmed the appointment saying; “Mark was an outstanding candidate and his hunger and enthusiasm to take the club forward was great to see, he’s a young manager with an impressive record, Shrivenham as a club want to push on and strengthen and look at the long term future of the Football Club which was a major factor in appointing a younger hungry manager who wishes to push on with us. There were other applicants and candidates and we’d like to thank them for their time and patience whilst making our choice, however Mark stood out for us and we are sure we’ve appointed the right man for the job”.

Mark will bring in Rob Hopkins as his assistant who holds a UEFA A coaching license and I’m sure he will also become a big asset to the club. Shrivenham, as a committee see it as a very exciting time for the club and feel that we can now build on the success we have already achieved and start a new era which hopefully will bring more success to the club once again.

Horwat Resigns From Shrivenham - 20th June

Pete Horwat has resigned as manager of Shrivenham, citing work commitments as his reason for stepping down from the helm of the Hellenic League Premier Division side.

Horwat led Shrivenham to the last 32 of the FA Vase and eighth place in the Premier Divison last season but is about to go through some major changes in his working life.

The Swindon Advertiser reports Horwat admitted he would not have been able to devote enough time to his role at the club if he had stayed on as manager.

Horwat, who works in senior sales management, revealed it was a major wrench to hand in his resignation, but believes he is doing the best for Shrivenham.

"I'm taking voluntary redundancy at the end of June," he explained. "There are one or two jobs in the pipeline, but they would take over my life. I wouldn't be able to give the club the time it needs, so I've decided to step down before pre-season training starts to give the chairman enough time to find someone else to do the job. I've had some great times at Shrivenham and it's a club that will always be close to my heart. Everyone has been really good to me, from the chairman and committee, through to the first team, reserves, A team and the youth set up.

"I've tried to speak to as many of the players as possible so they know what's going on and don't hear it second hand. I hope they all stay at the club as they're a great bunch and there is a lot of talent and potential there. They can really look to crack into the top four with the right guy in charge next season."

Shrivenham chairman Robb Forty said he was disappointed to lose his manager so close to the start of pre-season, but sympathised with Horwat's reasons for leaving.

He said: "It was a shock, but obviously work has to come first. Pete goes with our best wishes and I want to thank him for all the hard work he's done over the last two seasons. He's done a great job, and reaching the last 32 of the FA Vase was a special achievement for a club our size. But the hunt now starts for a new manager."

Anyone interested in becoming Shrivenham manager should call chairman Robb Forty on 07767 371414.

Ex-Highworth Skipper Now Shrivvy Management - 3rd June

Jon Reeves (pictured) has been appointed as Shrivenham's assistant manager.

The veteran defender hung up his boots at the end of last season after an illustrious non-league career which included lifting the Hellenic League Championship as Highworth Town captain.

Reeves crossed over to join Highworth's fierce rivals in a player coach role at the beginning of the last campaign, and having now ended his playing days, will be Shrivvy boss Pete Horwat's right hand man.

Horwat admitted: "It was a great catch to get Jon over at the start of last season and we're delighted that, even though he's retired from playing, he is staying on as my assistant. He's got a lot to offer us in a coaching capacity and it's great that he's accepted the position. He's got bags of experience, he's great with the players and gets a lot of respect."

After watching his side achieve an eighth-placed finish in the Hellenic League Premier Division last season, Horwat has already begun working on progressing further this time round. He revealed: "I've talked to three or four players already and will have more extensive talks with them in the next week or so. I don't think we need to try and find six or seven new faces we've got the basis here, it just needs a couple of additions."

"From conversations I've had we've got the majority of last season's squad signing back on again. Everyone here is keen to stay on. We all want to improve on last season and take another step forward. There's no reason why our target this time can't be top six."

Reeves will hopefully continue the trophy trail where he left off in his last game before retiring, when he lifted the Swindon Sunday League Knockout Cup as captain of Sunday team Greyhound.

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