Bards boss bemused by the boo-boys
FRUSTRATED Stratford Town chief Paul Davis admitted he was bemused by fans booing his side off the field after they failed to beat nine-man Stamford on Saturday.
Their 1-1 draw means the Bards must still rely on other sides slipping up if they are to break into the play-offs even if they win their remaining three matches - starting with the Easter double-header at Bedford Town on Saturday and at home to Alvechurch on bank holiday Monday.
The head coach said: “We are undefeated in four but everyone feels flat. We're getting booed off, it's bonkers, really. I'm as frustrated as them. In fact, I'm probably more frustrated because we work hard all week, trying different things all the time to create the chances.
“Supporters have seen a Stratford team that's had a real go, albeit against nine men. Sometimes it's harder to play against ten, and it's harder to play against nine because they just sit in the box and try to defend the box. You then have to try and break them down.
“I'm frustrated. If I'm honest, I don't understand the boos because we've had a real go. I'd have understood us being booed off against Biggleswade because I thought we were terrible, but we won. So it's difficult because if you play well at this stage of the season and don't win then apparently it's not good enough. If you aren't good and you win, it is good enough.
“I understand the frustration. We're as frustrated as the fans are but we've still got a three-game season because everyone still keeps giving us that hope. We've got to play worse and win, apparently.”
A penalty just before the break handed Stamford the lead but Callum Ebanks cancelled this out early in the second half. Red cards followed for visiting defender Connor Bartle and skipper Jack Duffy but the Bards were unable to find a winner.
Davis added: “As management staff, we can't do any more. We set the team up to play a certain way and they carry it out. They have done this for four weeks in a row now.
“I didn't think we were great against Biggleswade but we won and it's important to win at this stage of the season. I actually think we've played better since Biggleswade and not won.
No-one on the ground can tell me we haven't had enough chances to win games of football.”
Ebanks’ goal was created by midfielder Jack Storer and the pair caused a number of problems for the Stamford defence.
“I thought Jack Storer was excellent second half, I thought he was unstoppable. First half, I didn't think we were getting the ball quickly enough for him to affect the game but I thought in the second half he was brilliant.
“I thought the group was brilliant and Callum Ebanks was back to the old Callum Ebanks, bullying two centre-halves.
“We looked second best in the first half and talked about it at half-time. We tweaked something in midfield and just talked about being a bit more aggressive, a bit more on the front foot. We spoke about getting the ball forwards a bit quicker.”
Stratford Town are holding their end of season awards night at the Crowne Plaza on Saturday 17th May. Tickets cost £75 to include a three-course meal and can be booked by emailing commercial@stratfordtownfc.co.uk.
