Davies left to lament the decisions at Huish Park
Slough Town FC: Player/manager frustrated after league leaders Yeovil Town condemn Rebels to defeat
Scott Davies will surely have better nights in football after Slough Town suffered a 3-1 defeat to Yeovil Town on Tuesday night – the result, the player/manager believes, somewhat influenced by the referee.
Having fallen to a narrow and frustrating loss to Dover Athletic at the Crabble Athletic Ground on Saturday, the Rebels were looking to ‘do the unthinkable’ against the National League South leaders this week.
However, at a lively Huish Park, goals from Matt Worthington, Jordan Young, and Frank Nouble (penalty) delivered the Glovers all three points, the Rebels’ solitary goal coming from defender Dan Bayliss.
After applauding the opposition, who had made it 20 games unbeaten on home soil, Davies did not hold back in his assessment of the match official.
Speaking to Connor McNeish at full-time, the 35year-old said: “I thought he was absolutely dreadful. We’ve come a long way on Tuesday night and everything Yeovil screamed for, everything they called for, they got. I’ve got a yellow card for something which is not even a foul and that’s my 10th for the season so I will be out for two games now. It’s not been a great night.
“I will probably wake up in the morning and focus on the boys’ efforts of course. I just told them that this [result] isn’t going to define our season – Yeovil are in a completely different world to us. I think Yeovil in the Conference South are a bit of a cheat code, to be honest. They’re miles ahead of everyone in terms of how dominant and effective they’ve been this season.
“They were gracious in their victory tonight and I thought they conducted themselves well. They will go and win the league at a canter now.”
Davies added: “I thought we did really well in the first half. At half-time, we felt quite comfortable. I know they got in a couple of times, and sent some balls down the middle, but Dan (Lincoln) did really well and made a couple of good saves.
“We’ve had our chances aswell. Temi hit the bar and things might have been different if that had gone in.
“At half-time, we spoke about their strengths and making sure Jordan Young couldn’t come inside on his left foot because he’s very good at doing that.
“After their second goal, we got one back and felt in control. It felt like we were playing a lot of football in their half. Then, the ref goes and gives a penalty and the less I say about him [or that decision], the better tonight.
“Look, I am extremely proud of the boys tonight. To play against a team like Yeovil and put up a fight is what we wanted. I am not saying it’s an opportunity missed, we shouldn’t have won the game, but I felt like we were good enough value for a point if decisions didn’t go against us and chances were taken at crucial times.”
Slough Town will be looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat in the league now as they welcome Weston-super-Mare to Arbour Park on Saturday.
Scott Bartlett’s side sit a point and a place below the Rebels in the table with a game in hand.
“I watched their game last night (Monday), I had a little look at them, and they are an excellent side,” said Davies.
“They’ve obviously picked up [some form] of late aswell but we know what they will do. They will never divert away from how they play and we will come up with a game plan.
“We’ve been good at home for the last 15 games. Hopefully, it will be 16 unbeaten after Saturday, we don’t want to have three defeats on the bounce. During my time as manager, I think the worst losing streak we’ve had is three.
“If we can get a result on Saturday then I will be pleased. But, it will be a tough game and we will have to see how everyone recovers in the morning because that would’ve taken a lot out of the boys tonight.”
Davies added: “It’s been a hell of a January and the boys have been brilliant. Yeah, we’ve probably won the games we didn’t expect to win and lost the ones we didn’t expect to lose but you’re going to be a bit unpredictable at times.
“We’ve dropped some points this month that would’ve been nice to have had on the board but we go into February full of confidence off the back of January and we will see where that takes us.”