A very disappointing result against a team that we are well able to beat.
The first half was evenly contested with both sides creating chances. If we had coverted a couple more of our efforts it would have given us the confidence to go on and win the game. As it was, we went in at the break 1 - 1.
The second half belonged to Hawtonville. They appeared to want the win more than us and won nearly every 50/50 ball.
We fell behind due to another display of poor marking from a free-kick. You all have to learn that if you are playing against a quality striker you cannot leave him unmarked and unchallenged in the box.
After that second goal we simply were not in the game. Hawtonville went on to win the game easily. The scoreline could have been much,much worse as we were so poor in the last quarter of an hour it was untrue.
Hawtonville are a decent side but they should not have been good enough to stop us playing our football and make us chase shadows!
I know that all of you can do better than you showed today.
People have mentioned that comments on the radio acted against us today. Let me tell you that i think that is rubbish! I know that on our day we are the best footballing side in the division. I know that there are stronger and more physical teams than us but we must impose our style of play on them and not let ourselves be beaten by effort alone. I am not prepared to listen to excuses for losing games. Players on the pitch win or lose games - end of! Excuses are for losers and that is something we are not.
We have the ability to be a very good side but that ability has to go hand in hand with 100% effort in every game. That is something we have not done enough of this season.
I do however, have to praise all of our players and followers for their behaviour during the game. At no point did you let your frustration boil over into bad language and abuse. That is something to be proud of and something that should be taken on board by our opponants.The constant use of foul language used by certain people must be linked to IQ levels.
To sum up; This was a disappointing result, an under par performance and a lesson in marking & finishing.
We are looking for a massive improvement in our next game against Sutton on Trent.
Quote; "A BAD DAY AT THE OFFICE."
