LOCAL SOCCER

NORTH Geelong coach James Coutts was left to rue costly errors from his side after the Warriors suffered a 2-1 loss to Langwarrin on Saturday.

In blustery and wet conditions, the Warriors failed to get their passing game together and will quickly regroup after dropping their second consecutive match.

The absence of several key players through suspension and injury also added to the difficult challenge against a start-studded opposition.

Coutts lamented his side’s own mistakes that ultimately resulted in its downfall, admitting the loss was “hard to take”.

“It was disappointing,” Coutts said.

“The conditions played a huge part, obviously both halves the wind was massively in favour for one team. In the first half, I thought we created a lot and we just could not score.

“We tried to play the right way and we tried to get certain players in the game and we tried to challenge certain players to take a bit more responsibility in the final third and actually show a little bit more.

“In the second half, the conditions were tough. Their first goal, we misjudged it, and it was our fault, at the far post someone has left their man.

“We got back into the game and I thought at that moment we were on top and the boys were playing some good football and we were getting on top and causing problems.

“But then again, one long ball that wasn’t dealt with properly and a silly challenge.

“Once again it was our own mistake, our error, which we need to eradicate because too many people are making errors.

“We need accountability from them, it was very disappointing.”

While the past fortnight had been difficult for his side, Coutts said his players were ready to reload and go again.

“It is a hard result to take, because I felt as though we played some very good stuff at times today,” he said.

“We were stretched today. We had 11 fit senior players, which is hard, so we were stretched and tired.

“The boys are hurting because of where we are, but we will dust ourselves off and go again.”

The Warriors will look to bounce back when they travel to Churchill Reserve next round to face St Albans Saints.