I had the phone call on late Friday afternoon to say that Jermaine, John and Phil had left and was asked if myself and Alan Birchard would take the team for the rest of the season. I managed to catch up with Bill Dordoy and John Bathurst in the evening and we had a long chat about the way forward in the immediate future.

J&J had not told the players what was happening to ensure that they would be focused on the game with no distractions and did not want to let the board down who had supported them all along the way. I took the sessions with my Academy in the morning and at mid-day drove the minibus for the committee and supporters to the match.

When we arrived at the ground, I managed to have a quiet word with Ben Gorham and Simon Overland and requested that as the senior members of the squad that they show leadership and encourage the younger players through a difficult time. John Bathurst then went into the dressing room and broke the news to the rest of the players. John Embery had given me the line-up and made all the arrangements with the players and really the side picked itself. Whyteleafe had been on a poor run and I told the players that we had nothing to fear from them.

We were the better side in the first half. Victor Aiyelabola is a real prospect and along with Simon Kabamba worked really hard in midfield, and the work rate off the ball was as important as the work rate on it. Ronald scored a great header just before the break and we began to settle down from there. In the second half Whyteleafe changed their formation to match us, we got an early penalty and held onto the lead although they missed a couple of chances and Simon was superb in goal again. There was plenty of noise on the pitch and Ben showed his leadership skills.

Calum will be available for his last match with us with Faversham on Saturday; he is enjoying his football here, but Tonbridge want him back as cover for the play-offs. We should have Dan Birch again, but Connor Wilkins looks to be still out with his ankle injury, and we need to see if Danny Leonard is ready to return. We could end up with some selection headaches.

Faversham have not been enjoying the best of times and Phil Miles, one of their joint managers, was at Whyteleafe having a look at us and he must have been worried about what he saw. It’s a big game and a key match for both teams but if we can show the same work ethic as last Saturday then there is no reason why we can’t get a result.

I want to thank Alan Birchard for his support, J&J and Phil for getting a great squad together and to the board for having faith in me. I have no doubt that the fans will get behind the lads as we enter the last few weeks of the season.