COACHES CORNER: SOUTHERN PLAYOFF PREVIEW

Liam Docherty leads the U16 into the playoffs for the second time this weekend.

There aren't many opportunities in sport where you can look back at the journey and honestly say every training session, every difficult conversation and every setback has led to one moment.

This weekend is one of those moments.

Everything we worked towards this season comes down to this. Going from 0-3 to qualifying for the Playoffs shows that hard work really does pay off. Every single player bought into the brotherhood we've tried to build from day one, and that's something I'm incredibly proud of.

The results are one thing, but they've only been possible because this group chose to trust each other. When we started the season, we were learning, making mistakes and finding our identity. There were moments where it would have been easy for heads to drop, but instead this team kept turning up, kept competing and kept believing.

Rushmoor Knights and Oxford Saints are both excellent football teams. They deserve to be here just as much as we do, and we know the challenge ahead won't be easy. At this stage of the season, nobody is looking for excuses and nobody gets given anything. Every yard has to be earned.

Whatever happens on Saturday, I want this team to play Knights football. Play fast. Play physical. Play for the teammate standing next to you. Trust your coaching, trust your preparation and trust each other.

Don't worry about what happened earlier in the season. Don't worry about what comes after Saturday. Stay in the moment and enjoy competing with your brothers.

This group has already shown what they're capable of.

Now it's time to show everyone else.

See you in Kent.

Liam Docherty
U16 Head Coach, Northants Knights Academy