Cooper admits Windsor ‘got away with one’
Royalists show character to come from behind and beat Waters
Windsor boss Mark Cooper was a relieved man after Monday’s 3-2 win over Stag Meadow tenants Virginia Water, admitting the Royalists had ‘got away with one’.
In a topsy-turvy game of football, the Royalists took the lead, then fell 2-1 behind before showing some character to battle back and take all three points.
Luke Appleton netted their winner in the 84th minute for a Windsor side that looked more than a little ring-rusty having not played for more than two weeks.
It is also now five matches without a win for the Waters in the Combined Counties
Premier Division.
“We are delighted with the win, but we made hard work of it,” Cooper said after the match.
“Without question, we are our own worst enemies. I don’t think we played particularly well, and we gave the ball away plenty of times rather cheaply.
“We were 1-0 up at the break and wanted to push on afterwards while keeping hold of the clean sheet. But we gifted them two goals.
“Poor defensive decisions and basic errors at the back have cost us all season and today was no different. After the hour, we found ourselves 2-1 down with a mountain to climb.
“I’m not sure how long was left on the clock when they scored their second goal, but we changed things ever so slightly. We got more offensive, went for the game, and in the end, we’ve come away with the three points.
“They (Virginia Water) will certainly feel aggrieved – we probably got away with one today.”
Chances were at a premium in the first half, but the Royalists opened the scoring in the 41st minute through Excellence Muhemba who skilfully flicked the ball over the line from Ben Hall’s corner. The Waters were more threatening after the break and the pressure proved too great in the 63rd minute when Appleton gave away a clumsy penalty and Casey Bocarro smashed home the spotkick with venom.
They then took the lead two minutes later when Turnell Sinclair held off Appleton and Luke Paris to slide the ball under the oncoming Sam Butcher. But the Royalists started to make their set pieces count in the final 10 minutes with Danny Horscroft converting after Charlie Jaggers’ corner was redirected by Paris. Cooper felt his side should have had a penalty when Lindell Stewart went down in the area, but it didn’t prove decisive as Appleton rose well a few minutes later to head home Jaggers’ cross.
It leaves the Royalists eighth in the table ahead of what promises to be an intriguing clash at seventh placed Ascot United on Saturday, January 8.