Nathan Haslam had no doubt that the game turned on two key incidents in the first half, the goal that was not given and the sending off. “The result was convincing in the end but the keeper has openly admitted that the ball’s gone over the line. He hasn’t done anything wrong, he’s done what most people would do. We didn’t get the goal and it was at a key stage, we were well on top at that point although not playing great but as we all know, goals change games, although the sending off hasn’t helped us and then (down to ten men) we were exposed. We went in at 2-1 and we had to try and get something out of the game. By the end, the lads were out on their feet, they worked their socks off but fair play to West Auckland, they exploited us.
“We started very slowly and their first goal was a very poor goal to concede. We had specific instructions on marking Purewal, and on the second goal the same thing’s happened again. It’s just a case of people not doing their jobs. We had that little spell where we were on top and we were getting in behind West. But it just didn’t go for us, decisions went against us and the way the game’s turned out, it looks like it’s been a mauling, but it was just that they were picking off the spaces. I’ve no complaints about the red card, I think the lad’s obstructed Luke to start with and he’s got a bit frustrated, tried to get the ball, and he’s wholehearted in what he does and he did catch the keeper. As the second half went on there were a lot of tired legs. The pitch was heavy, the lads were running a lot more than they’d want to, and those hard yards and mental fatigue began to take their toll.”
He spoke warmly about the contribution made by Josh Macdonald during his month long loan spell at the club. “You can see his quality. He’s done really well while he’s been with us but now he’s going back to Halifax and will be in contention for them on Tuesday. We need to get Craig McFarlane fit as we can quickly as possible; he needs to get some minutes and in and so does James Proctor.”
