Manager’s pride as his young team have a tough few weeks
BACUP Borough manager Brent Peters insists he has been proud of his team’s efforts during a tough period over the last few weeks.
Bacup’s last game saw them suffer a 3- 0 defeat at home to Longridge, but due to that being the team’s fifth game in 14 days, Peters can sympathise with his players.
“The boys have just had an intense 28 days of fixtures against tough opposition, so I am proud of our young team that have come up against physical opponents,” he said.
“Longridge are a team challenging at the summit of the division having scored something like 50 plus goals in their opening 11 matches, so this was always going to be a big ask, especially with experienced defender Laquan Esdaille missing out of the line up, but it was a challenge we were always looking forward to.
“I was stood at the gate with Longridge manager Lee Ashcroft, and then his experienced striker Ritchie Allen walked in, so I was somewhat sceptical given that for the past two seasons Ritchie has been scoring regular for Salford City and prior to this for AFC Fylde.
“I did think the worst and to be honest my worst thoughts turned out to be my correct thoughts, as in all honesty it was Ritchie Allen that was the only difference between the two sides.
“For 35 minutes there was very little to choose between either side, so in the main I was quite happy. However, no matter what level you perform at, the team that makes the wrong decision leading to the deadlock being broken then finds themselves chasing the game.
“This is exactly what happened to us. We were high up the pitch with the ball wide of their goal just outside the box, and Josh Walne could have drilled the ball hard and low or he could have committed players.
“The other option was to loft the ball into the direction of Darcy O’Connor screaming for the ball as he advances towards their penalty area.
“Innocently, Josh went for the third option, and next thing they break on us and we are defending our box when stupidly Darcy stuck a leg out, and a penalty is given and converted.
“We then had to go for it, and this turned out to be our downfall as Ritchie Allen scored a well deserved hat- trick.
“My team can take a lot of heart from their performances over these
My team can take a lot of heart from performances over these past few weeks
past few weeks, but whilst they were all disappointed with the result on Saturday, they could have learnt a lot from watching the master Ritchie Allen in action. His movement, his link up play and his timing of his runs and finishing was really something else.”