Taylor braced for 'baptism of fire' with Bodmin visit
NEW Cullompton Rangers manager Mike Taylor admits he faces a 'baptism of fire' when his side entertain Bodmin Town on Saturday.
Taylor took over at Speeds Meadow in the immediate aftermath of his departure from Witheridge at the weekend.
High-flying Bodmin have been amongst the division's pacesetters for much of the campaign, and the new Cully boss admits he could not be in for a much tougher start as he looks to steady the ship.
"We have our first match against Bodmin on Saturday and talk about a baptism of fire," said Taylor. "I don't think we could come up against a tougher team in all honesty.
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"At the end of the day it is up to me to pull the team together and get the club back on track.
"They have had some terrible results so for me it is certainly a challenge, and an interesting one too. It should be fun and hopefully it will make me enjoy my football again.
"I will also add my own twist to things by telling the players what I expect of them and how I want them to play, as well as what they can expect from me as manager."
Taylor went on to say that a difference in opinion with chairman Andre Pike had led to his departure from Edge Down Park, where he had been manager since March 2011.
The former Elmore goalkeeper led Withy to 14th spot that season, before guiding them to 13th a year later.
"It is a bit of a long story but basically it was down to a difference of opinion with the chairman," he said.
"I loved working with the likes of Shane Kallaway and Chris Vinnicombe – not only were they great coaches but great guys and friends too."
Taylor's last match in charge of Withy was a 4-0 defeat at Elburton Villa on Saturday in the Throgmorton Cup.
Withy – who lost 2-1 at home to Launceston on Tuesday night – travel to Falmouth Town on Saturday, before hosting Liverton United next Tuesday.
To put the challenge facing Taylor into perspective, Cullompton Rangers also crashed out of the cup – to Division One East side Alphington 3-1.
Former Alphas player Gary Wills opened the scoring from 12 yards for Cully after Aiden Moyle was fouled in the box.
But Peter Darke levelled before Nigel Vaughn-Ryall prodded the hosts in front and Scott Forster secured the win.
Cully keeper Jamie Glynn did save a penalty to make it four blocks from spot-kicks in three days, after saving three for the under-18s against Odd Down.
"We were so confident he was going to save it that we were really quite comfortable when they were about to take it," said football secretary Slark.
Bovey Tracey host Newquay on Saturday.
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