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Gary's View
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Match Report > Click Here
I’m obviously pleased to get a point to maintain our unbeaten run against a tough Leamington side in a game played in difficult conditions.
There was a degree of uncertainty going into the game as to what the starting line-up would be, but I was relieved that Laurie Stewart, John Frendo and Steve Gentle declared themselves fit. Whether they were 100% fit is another matter, but it solved a potential headache for us by them coming through pre-match fitness tests.
It was a match with plenty of talking points. First of all, their opening goal. Obviously everyone will look at it and apportion blame to the goalkeeper, but we really should have dealt with their opportunity before it found its way back to Zac. Instead, it was a pass on a dodgy surface that unfortunately either hit a divot or maybe Zac took his eye off it. Either way, it let in Bellingham who wasn’t really going to miss. At the end of the day, these things happen to the best of keepers, and we should always remember the performances that Zac has produced during his time at City. That said, he is gutted by what happened as he sets himself high standards, but it’s just one of those things that happens and you just have to get on with it.
Then another talking point was the ‘goal’ by Tony Burke that was ruled out for offside. Like many fans have said, the decision was ridiculous. Afterwards, I asked the referee and the lineswoman who was responsible for raising the flag, and their collective response was that “Tony Burke was offside when the ball was first kicked”. I’m sure if they had the evidence that is now available on our website, they would think again. But it’s just one of those, and if the goal was given, who knows what might of happened in the context of the game.
That said, we got back in the game through Steve Gentle’s effort, but we were immediately on the back foot again as we were left exposed for their second goal. Again, like the first, it should have been dealt with before Corbett got into that position, so I was disappointed to lose the momentum that we had gained following our equaliser.
As such, I said to the boys in no uncertain terms at half-time to go out there and start dictating the game as we could end up losing and falling behind the standards that we had set so far this season. So I was delighted with the first 20 minutes of the second half, as I thought we played some really good stuff, especially in those conditions. Before we equalised, we could and maybe should have scored.
After the goal I thought we would kick on and win, and although John Frendo hasn’t been scoring lately, he’s had a number of opportunities yesterday, which on another day could have seen him netting a hat-trick.
However, after those first 20 minutes of the second half, the game sort of evened itself out a bit. Leamington slowed it down and took a bit of the sting out of the play, but there was always a chance that either side would nick it. Obviously, they have hit the bar, and we have had a good chance at the end that Laurie Stewart almost netted with. But in the end I’m happy with a draw and I think Leamington will go on from here and under their new manager could start to climb the table and be play-off contenders come the end of the season.
Steve Gentle came off as he has another knock. This time to his shin. This allowed me to bring on Chris Arthur, and I also bought on Matt Batt who is another trialist with us.
In the next week we will look at where we are with the trialists, and in terms of playing personnel I can confirm that Stephen Smith has left the club. He has gone to Biggleswade on a permanent basis.
There were no other injuries to report, and it will be good to have a week off next Saturday, and allow the players to re-group ahead of the league cup tie with Sudbury a week on Tuesday.
Finally, I thought it was a cracking atmosphere in the ground yesterday, and nice to see a visiting team at this level bring a lot of travelling fans. You have to give them credit, as they were a good bunch and there was a good bit of friendly banter between both sets of supporters that I thought was great.
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