‘Defeat really hurt but we will always remain positive’
Jerry Gill was crestfallen after his side’s dramatic 3-2 loss at St Albans City on Saturday.
The Romans looked set to claim a point from Hertfordshire before Johnny Goddard’s late intervention.
Having fought hard to get back into the game, the last-minute winner for the hosts hurt the City boss.
“That’s the most painful I’ve felt for a long time in regards to us losing a game,” said Gill, who was overseeing his 150th league match in charge and 100th away contest in all competitions. “It’s demoralised me.
“Anyone who has watched that game will know we were really, really unlucky to be on the losing side. It’ll be a hard one to get over.
“We started the game very well but their first goal is way too easy again. We showed great character to get back to 2-2 before we were done with a sucker punch.
“We pressed the ball up the pitch when we didn’t need to and they caught us. Jordan’s tried to clear it and it’s hit one of their players to go in. It’s just our luck. I’m demoralised for our players.”
Gill passed a note to Joe Raynes a few minutes after St Albans had gained a 2-0 lead, which highlighted the planned shape which the players were aware of should the situation arise.
“I wrote down the formation change and put it in my pocket,” said Gill. “The boys adapted to it brilliantly, we had the team to do that. We went to a back three to match them up and dominate the ball a bit more. From there until 96 minutes we were by far the best side.
“Often St Albans play 4-3-3 but because they got a result on Tuesday I thought they’d stay with 3-5-2, and they did.
“I could hear Ian (Allinson) on the side. He felt as if his team had dropped. I felt as if we had got momentum.
“Second half we forced lots of corners and long throws but in the end we have nothing to show for it.”
A penalty awarded on 86 minutes gave City the chance to claim a deserved three points, but Cody Cooke pulled it wide of Michael Johnson’s right post.
“Cody is distraught in there, apologising to everyone,” Gill confirmed. “That’s because it matters to them and it hurts.
“He practises them every week, he’ll take at least 10. On this occasion I think he’s tried to be a bit too precise, but no blame goes to him because we’ve had other chances.
“I’ll never throw any players under the bus. We win, lose and draw together.”
Like the previous 18 occasions, City had lost a match having conceded the first goal, a run which stretches back to a Boxing Day 2020 draw at Chippenham, which remains the side’s last draw away from home.
Gill confirmed there were no instructions to hunt for all three points following their first half recovery.
“We didn’t pass any messages about chasing the game,” he said. “We looked quite solid in our shape, they didn’t really have a chance second half.
“We’d have been happy with a point at St Albans but I felt like we were the ones that would go on and win the game.
“It’s a losing habit which is horrible really.
“We’ll get the boys right in training on Tuesday and Thursday ahead of the Ebbsfleet game.
“We’ll always remain positive. This result will hurt throughout the week but we’ll do our bit to lift them. This isn’t a team with a lack of effort or struggling with confidence. They’re on the wrong end of some real bad luck.”
Centre-back Jack Batten found it difficult to put into words how City had come away from Clarence Park with no points for their efforts.
“I’m gutted for everyone,” he opened. “We were on top after conceding those two soft goals. I think our defensive line was too high and they capitalised on their chances.
“It feels similar to a lot of our games this season – we deserved something out of it.
“We were on top, we just can’t get that goal to edge us in front.”
Batten was making his 200th appearance at the weekend. Having initially joined on loan from Bristol City in November 2015, the 26-year-old has been an important member of the squad, overcoming a serious knee injury which ruled him out for the 2019/20 campaign.
“It’s no secret that I love being at the club,” he confirmed. “I’ve always been made to feel really welcome. I’m proud to make 200 appearances and I hope to make many more.
“On the whole things have been really positive here but this has been a difficult season.
“We’ve shown enough in the last three or four weeks against good teams that we will turn this around.”