Yeovil Town manager Chris Hargreaves said he hopes his side’s second win of the National League season can act as a springboard to push them up the table.
The Glovers moved out of the division’s relegation zone with an impressive 1-0 win over a Solihull Moors side who are among those challenging for the play-off positions after 13 matches of the season.
Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins after the game, the manager thanked supporters for their patience and admitted he understood the frustration at a faltering start to the campaign.
He said: “I want to thank the supporters, I know there’s been a bit of frustration and I get that, I understand it completely, but I am pleased we have sent them away with three points. They can enjoy their weekend, as can I for the first time in a long time.”
The boss added: “I hope this is a springboard for us to kick on and it should be because there is a group of players in there who are good enough.”
A 58th minute goal from Chiori Johnson, who was employed as a left wing-back, sealed the three points, but the boss suggested the former Torquay United man had been sent out with some ‘extra motivation’ from the management after missing a good first-half chance.
Hargreaves said: “He is determined to do well and he hasn’t been happy not to be in the team which I understand and I have said that to a lot of players.
“It’s not pleasant to be a professional footballer and you’re trying all week to get in the team and you’re not even in the squad and (Chiori) has been in that situation.
“So I am really pleased for him to get that goal. I thought he played well and probably got through some uncomfortable situations, let’s say!”
Having come in for criticism – yes, including on this website and podcast – for being too defensive having taken the lead in matches this season, the Glovers’ boss was pleased to see his side continue to press for a second goal.
A couple of exceptional saves from Solihull keeper Louie Moulden, who is on loan from Premier League Wolves, denied the hosts the opportunity to add gloss to the scoreline.
He added: “The players were outstanding and they have been like that, in the main, every game. We just either haven’t held on or we haven’t killed the game.
“Today we definitely could have killed it, their keeper made two outstanding saves and if we had scored that second goal it becomes less of a tense last five minutes.
“They stuck to what the game plan was, they delivered and they were excellent from minute nought to minute 90 plus eight – again!
“We didn’t want to sit back and our front players looked dangerous and like they wanted to score and create, so I am really pleased with the confidence to keep playing and not just sit back in because it is so dangerous to do that.”