Gary's View
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It was very disappointing but, that said, I thought we were more than in control of the game. We did struggle though to create clear-cut chances.
We had the majority of the play and, for instance, had fifteen corners to their two, set-plays and half-chances that we simply didn’t take. We had a really golden opportunity just after the break when Josh Simpson crossed for Ashley Fuller who missed from six yards. That was symptomatic of our day in front of goal.
Although it was a hot day we still managed to dictate the play and try and create openings. Mangotsfield got men behind the ball, had a game-plan, but to be fair to them I thought their keeper and centre-backs did very well in particular. In the end we succumbed to two poor decisions by Richard Willmott. They were both blunders, there is no other word to describe them.
Despite squandering what opportunities, the least we should have got was a point from the game unless we contributed to our own downfall and that is exactly what happened. I didn’t have a problem with the free-kick decision which lead to the second goal. You accept it and defend the next thing that happens. In this case it was the set-play coming into our box and to be honest the decision made by Richard was poor. Both goals were identical and I remember on both occasions wondering what he was doing. Richard is an experienced goalkeeper, but with both these mistakes I was left wondering what he was thinking.
It’s a fantastic result for Mangotsfield, but people will look at that result and think that they’ve beaten us quite comfortably and it wasn’t the case. We had 80-90% of the game and still managed to lose. It’s no secret that we are not firing in front of goal at the moment and at the moment it’s up to the players that are fit to rectify that.
Confidence is in short supply in front of goal, but we need to be stronger and braver in that department. I spoke to the players at length about that afterwards. I’ve also spoken to them in the week about it too and, I’m not messing about, if there is no improvement between now and Saturday week then there will be changes.
We didn’t pick up any injuries coming out of the game. We play down at Banbury on Tuesday evening and I’m expecting another rough-and-tumble encounter. There aren’t many sides in this league that are prepared to get the ball down and play too much. Our players have got to be big and strong and have got to want to win the game. They have to make things happen. I don’t want to see any aimless stuff.
We are desperately missing Ramon and Lee as well as Matty Haniver, we all know that, but its not all doom and gloom. We can see where we are in the table and we feel we should be higher obviously, but we’re still within striking distance of the top places.
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