Russell looking for Newbridge to bounce back in first FAI National League home game

Newbridge Town manager, Martine Russell spoke to The Kildare Nationalist in the aftermath of last Saturday’s National League opener against CK United, and while he was understandably disappointed with the defeat, the veteran coach was able to find positives in his side’s performance.

“I'm disappointed with the result, but pleased with the lads' effort and performance,” he said. “We were a younger side against a team that have some lads that come with league experience and top junior experience as well. But again, the lads were competitive throughout.” 

Newbridge found themselves two goals down inside 20 minutes, which made an already difficult task all the more strenuous; but again, Russell found the positives.

“After the early goals that we conceded, the lads still showed the conviction to play on the front foot. Probably, on another day, we would have gotten a better result; we missed some chances - we missed three or four really golden chances that we should have probably converted. It was a good performance, but just disappointed with the result.” 

Looking ahead, Newbridge welcome Villa FC for a historic first home game at Station Road on Saturday, in what will be the Waterford side’s first game in the new league. Russell is hoping to have his troops raring and ready to go, and ready for the expectations that come with the challenge.

“We go back to training during the week, and as I said to the lads, that first game is one step for them and also for the club. It really is just one step and there's many more to be taken from both. It doesn't stop.

“So, we’ll continue, hopefully, progressing and we’ll learn as we go, which is one of the main things as well - for the individual player plus the club. Because the case and point is that you're now going up to National League levels and we have to keep working hard to improve and to remain competitive.” 

One man under the spotlight in training this week will be Milton Benitez, a fully capped senior Paraguayan international who has signed for Newbridge. The 40-year-old midfielder was capped for his country in 2011 following a season spent on loan at iconic Brazilian club, Vasco da Gama.

His last club prior to joining Newbridge was Sport Huancayo, a top-flight club in Peru. Benitez was injured for the trip to CK, but Russell is hoping to have the south American back in training this week.

The game in SETU Carlow attracted an attendance of almost 1,000 spectators, which is a promising number for the league as a whole.

“It’s only one step between the (League of Ireland) First Division,” Russell said. 

“So, it's up to each club to maximise that; and for Newbridge, it's a step closer to providing proper National League football in the area.

“It's important for us that we do get support both from the community and hopefully business alike so we keep on improving things and improving the club on and off the field.”