Stratford Town were not good enough in both boxes, says Gavin Hurren
MANAGER Gavin Hurren says Stratford Town were made to pay for their missed chances, as they bowed out of the FA Trophy at the hands of Royston Town for the second successive year.
The Crows had beaten the Bards 2-1 at Garden Walk last season and they won by a similar scoreline at the Arden Garages Stadium this time around.
It had all started so well for the Bards when Dexter Walters’s cross was diverted into his own net by Joel Makatani-Brown in just the third minute.
However, just ten minutes before the break it was all-square as Makatani-Brown atoned for his earlier error, as his delivery was deflected into the Stratford goal by the unfortunate Paul McCone.
The home side had numerous chances after the interval to nose themselves ahead but they were punished for their profligacy, as in-form striker Matt Bateman finished off a simple move 15 minutes from time to secure Royston’s progression into the next round.
Speaking to the Herald after the game, Hurren was once again frustrated by the manner in which the two goals were conceded but stressed there were positives to take from the defeat.
“For me, we were not clinical enough in both boxes and the only stat that matters to me is the scoreline,” he said. “We’ve had so many chances and we did not make them count, and then we’ve conceded two sloppy goals.
“I felt that over the game we did well, we had good shape and were the better team but we were just not good enough in both boxes. Credit must go Royston as when they had their chances they took them.”
On the repetitive nature of the sloppy goals conceded, Hurren added: “It’s very frustrating but it’s not like were working on things.
“Our shape was much better and we nullified Royston to a couple of chances. There’s lots of positives to take but when you look over the last three defeats, we only have ourselves to blame.
"We’ve got to stay positive, keep working hard and keep believing in what we do, and [our fortunes] will turn.”
Stratford, who have lost their last three games in all competitions, will be hoping to turn those fortunes around when they visit Stourbridge on Saturday (3pm).
Hurren was a former assistant manager at the Glassboys and while he will be happy to see some old faces again, he stressed it’s the three points which matters most.
“Stourbridge is a great club and they have some fantastic people there but it’s just another game and when we cross that line at 3pm I will be wanting to win,” he said.
Hurren also believes the Glassboys, who sit 19th in the table with just two wins from ten games and were fancied to be challenging for honours, are in a ‘false position’.
“That just shows the strength of this league in the fact anyone can beat anyone,” said Hurren.
“Stourbridge have a big squad filled with experience and quality but so have we. We have recruited a squad which has a blend of everything and the club is a positive place to be at.”
