St Albans City boss admits ‘we didn’t defend well’ as Gloucester defeat sets play-off hopes back
St Albans City V Gloucester City - Michael Clark celebrates scoring for St Albans City. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant
Ian Allinson was left despairing at St Albans City’s second-half performance as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat at home to Gloucester City.
St Albans City V Gloucester City - David Moyo in action for St Albans City. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant
Saints looked in fine fettle under the warm spring sunshine at Clarence Park as they raced to a 1-0 lead by the break, with the only disappointment being they failed to convert more of the numerous chances they created.
St Albans City V Gloucester City - David Moyo in action for St Albans City. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant
However, there were further frustrations to come in the second half as a completely different outfit emerged from the dressing rooms and surrendered meekly to the battling Tigers.
St Albans City V Gloucester City - Lewis Knight in action for St Albans City. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant
That left the City manager in a very bad mood, especially at the manner of the goals conceded.
St Albans City V Gloucester City - Michael Clark celebrates scoring for St Albans City. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant
He said: “They had two good chances in the first half and we spoke about it at length at half-time.
St Albans City V Gloucester City - Michael Clark celebrates scoring for St Albans City. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant
“We knew there was a concern with the way we had defended. We didn’t defend well although we had created plenty of chances at the other end.
St Albans City V Gloucester City - Sam Merson in action for St Albans City. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant
“Unfortunately, for all the things we spoke about at half-time, we did not apply ourselves in the second half and we got what we deserved in the end.
St Albans City V Gloucester City - Michael Clark celebrates scoring for St Albans City. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant
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“It’s really disappointed how we applied ourselves in the second half. We switched off at a corner and used it as a rest period. We nearly got caught out in the first half but we didn’t learn from that.
St Albans City V Gloucester City - Solomon Sambou in action for St Albans City. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant
“Though we huffed and puffed and put some pressure on from long throws and corners we weren’t good enough to get something out of the game.
St Albans City V Gloucester City - Ben Wyatt in action for St Albans City. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant
“We looked flat in the second half and looked like we just needed to turn up and we’d win the game quite comfortably.
St Albans City V Gloucester City - Tom Bender in action for St Albans City. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant
“But they upped their tempo, they closed us down quicker.”
St Albans City V Gloucester City - Sam Merson in action for St Albans City. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant
The result was made all the more annoying by results elsewhere going against their National League South play-off rivals.
St Albans City V Gloucester City - Solomon Sambou in action for St Albans City. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant
And it not only undid all the good work from the first half, but also from their recent run.
St Albans City V Gloucester City - Solomon Sambou in action for St Albans City. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant
“I thought we’d got away from this type of performance,” said Allinson, “but it’s taken us back miles. I thought we’d learned how to see games out and do the good things.
St Albans City V Gloucester City - Scott Shulton made his debut for St Albans City against Gloucester City. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant
“When we play teams in their situation, battling against relegation, we have to take maximum points. Or at the very least we don’t lose.
St Albans City V Gloucester City - Ian Allinson, manager of St Albans City. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant
“We’ve picked up some good results recently but we’ve undone some of the good work we’ve put together.
St Albans City's Solomon Sambou sees an early chance saved against Gloucester City. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant
“That’s the worst we’ve defended in some time.”
St Albans City V Gloucester City - Ben Wyatt in action for St Albans City. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant
St Albans City V Gloucester City - Ian Allinson (Manager St Albans City). Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant
St Albans City V Gloucester City - Tribute to Michael Thalassitis. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant
