SHAFTESBURY | LEARNING CURVE

It's been a case of shoot-outs in quick succession for the Division One South outfit

Shaftesbury showed plenty of character at the weekend to emerge victorious from their Isuzu FA Trophy penalty shoot-out against Falmouth Town.

It came just a few days after they found themselves on the wrong end of a penalty shoot-out in the Emirates FA Cup as they exited the competition at the hands of Frome Town.

“I guess the experience at Frome Town helped and inspired us a couple of days later,” said skipper, Charlie Burden. “To be involved in two penalty shoot-outs in such quick succession is unusual, but we stayed focussed to get the job done on Saturday.

“It was a bit of a weird one as we were in control of the game and deserved to win it in normal time, but credit to Falmouth Town as they hung in there, took their chances and took the tie all the way to penalties.

“The main thing in any Cup tie is to get through to the next round and we managed that at the weekend, despite letting a two-goal lead slip.

“We’ll learn from it, as we did in the shoot-out defeat at Frome Town in the FA Cup, and it will help us as we move forward.”

It’s been a solid start to the campaign for the Dorset club with three wins from four Pitching In Southern League Division One South games leaving them handily-placed in the early table.

“We’ve adapted well to the different challenges that have come our way so far this season,” added Burden. “We’ve got a decent amount of points on the board already, progressed in the FA Trophy and even bagged some silverware, winning the Salisbury Hospital Cup, so there is plenty to be positive about even though there is a very long way to go this season.

“We need to try not to look too far ahead and just focus on the here and now. Personally I haven’t played as much as I would have liked, but that is testament to the options that we have within the squad.

“Everyone gets on well together and pushes each other to raise standards all of the time, which is an important ingredient to have. There’s a lot of talent here and it was nice to be trusted to wear the armband in our last game.

“It’s been a strange start to the season as we’ve already played something like 13 games, but only four of them have come in the League, so we’re looking forward to a busy October and being able to strengthen our place amongst the leading pack.

“The ultimate aim for us is to still have something to play for come the end of the season. If I can contribute with a goal or two along the way, then that will be an added bonus.”

Shaftesbury head to Exmouth Town on Saturday looking to add to their points tally, whilst in the Isuzu FA Trophy, they have been drawn away to Basingstoke Town of the Premier South.

IMAGE: Issac Fewins Visuals

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