KJM SPORT REPORT Millbrook boss remains philosophical

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Created on Monday, 31 January 2022 07:59

Last Updated on Tuesday, 01 February 2022 13:42

Published on Monday, 31 January 2022 07:59

Written by KEVIN MARRIOTT at Jenkins Park

Millbrook manager Macca Brown was in philosophical mood after watching his Western Premier side pegged back to a 1-1 draw by struggling Street at Jenkins Park on Saturday.

Rikki Shepherd had given the Brook a 17th minute lead with his 26th goal of the season and the home side went on to hit the woodwork three times in the second half.

Street captain Harry Foster headed his side level after 64 minutes and goalkeeper Liam Norris produced an excellent save to keep out Tom Payne’s 80th minute penalty.

The result stretched Millbrook’s unbeaten league run to 11 games but they have drawn their last three and lost top scorer Shepherd to a groin strain which could keep him out for a couple of weeks.

Macca said: “Without getting too carried away, ultimately it was a draw that felt like a defeat and when that is the case a level head tells you that there were many positives to take from the performance.

“For an hour or so we were outstanding, we dominated the game from the off, created some great openings and played some good football.

“There could have been a bit more penetration in our play at times but we scored a great goal, fabulous movement from Rikki and a superb finish.

“This continued at the start of the second half where we hit the woodwork twice and it just seemed like a second was inevitable at that point, it was really impressive.

“Losing Rikki to injury was a blow as he’s obviously such a spark for us, but to be honest the turning point was the equaliser and it just seemed to me that we press self-destruct at that point.

“A 1-0 lead is always dangerous, as in this case you’re only ever a set piece away from an equaliser and that’s what happened.

“We were unlucky because we can watch back now and he’s a yard offside, but we weren’t alert enough to stop the quick free kick either.

“It shook us a little because the lads probably felt the game should have been out of sight and it gave Street a boost, they were much more of a threat then on the counter as they grew in belief and credit to them as they didn’t stop working and made it difficult for us throughout, but we didn’t settle down after that at all.

“When we got the late penalty then you hope that’ll win it, and people will naturally focus on that as a missed opportunity but we’ve missed some golden chances alongside that.

“Tom (Payne) struck it well and the keeper’s gone the right way and made a good save. Paynee has been our saviour in that situation plenty of times and that’s football.

“But we should have remained composed. It’s frustrating because the width of the post stops it being 4 or 5 today but as pleased as I was in our first hour's dominance, I was really disappointed to the reaction from the equaliser.

“We should have handled that situation better and that has cost us because we had more than enough time to finish the job as we’ve shown already numerous times this season.

“But that’s the beauty of this league, it’s so competitive that this season we have drawn against Tavistock, who are top of the league, and now drawn against Street, who are currently second from bottom, but still disappointed that we didn’t win either.

“But plenty of positives to take into Wednesday’s Les Phillips Cup tie at Helston.”

Millbrook: C Wearing, T Payne, R Tetley, J Wood (B Applegate 87), D Youlden, L Murray, J Foster, J Toulson, J Richards (R Knight 85), R Shepherd (C Mahoney 59), S Morcom.

Subs not used: O Small, J Styring.

Goal: R Shepherd (17).

Yellow cards: T Payne (68), D Youlden (69), J Wood (87).

Street: L Norris, J Phillips, O Pearson, C Corbridge, J Stafford, J Dickens, D Peach (B Reeves 31), T Davey (G Plant 61), H Foster, K Andrews, L Strange.

Goal: H Foster (64).

Yellow cards: J Phillips (21), K Andrews (86), J Dickens (90).

Referee: Ryan Cornelius.

SWSN Stars Millbrook – Josh Toulson. Street – Korey Andrews.

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