Box Rovers hope for better season under manager Beeho

7:25pm Thursday 21st August 2008

BOX Rovers have enjoyed a successful pre-season so far under new manager Stuart Beeho.

Rovers have also welcomed more sponsors on board to help the club achieve success on and off the pitch this season. The Queens Head pub has become the home for the club, the Manor Garage have provided polo shirts for the players and the Carl Todd Clinic and the parish council have helped the club buy new equipment.

Box held an entertaining presentation night at the Queens Head, where star player Luke McFarlane picked up the players' player of the season award and Adam Taylor collected the manager's player of the season award and the Golden Boot trophy.

Special awards went to Jamie Harrison, Liam Fullam, Tom Smith and Luke Wolf.

A great night all round saw the team bond well together for the up and coming season.

New summer signings Justin Flowers, Jamie Moss, Jamie Bowler and Michael Blunsdon were in impressive form in the 4-1 defeat to White Hart Coomb in the first pre-season friendly. Jason Walsh scored Box's only goal. You could tell that it was Box's first game, and it seemed a few players had forgotten how to play football over the summer.

Their second friendly saw them win 2-0 against the Pheasant.

Tom Smith picked up the first when he also broke the net from close range.

Then Liam Fullam scored the second goal with a stunning free kick from just outside the box. The game also saw Jamie Harrison back with a great display.

Rovers travelled to Holt on Sunday where they lost 3-0. Two well taken goals from Holt saw them take an early lead. Box took their time to settle into the game, which at times didn't always seem like a friendly.

Box should have scored before half-time, but Stuart Beeho missed an easy header, so he made a great managerial decision and took himself off.

In the second half Box took control and played some great football and thought they were back in the game, but Tom Smith's well worked goal was ruled out for offside. They then twice hit the woodwork in the space of two minutes before Holt were given a penalty which crept in past Luke McFarlane.

There were many chances for both teams in the later stages as they both kept attacking. It was a good game all round before the start of the season.

Rovers are looking forward to an exciting season, with a new manager and new players adding to a good club. Their aim is to be challenging for trophies and become more consistent than previous seasons. They hope to have 11 players on the pitch for every game, and maybe even a few subs.

They want to stop being known as a Jekyll and Hyde team and finally put Box Rovers back to where they should be, battling with the top four for the title.