KJM SPORT REPORT Welton Rovers 6 Saltash Utd 1

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Created on Sunday, 10 September 2023 10:15

Last Updated on Sunday, 10 September 2023 10:15

Published on Sunday, 10 September 2023 10:15

Written by KEVIN MARRIOTT at KJM Sports

It was a case of one step forward, two giant steps back for Saltash as they crashed to a heavy defeat at West Clewes.

Following their first league win of the season against Wellington the previous week, the Ashes lost their way against a Welton side who took full advantage.

All of which left Saltash boss Macca Brown feeling "upset and embarrassed" about the result and some aspects of his players’ performances.

Brown said: “Last year at Clevedon I was involved in a similar game where we lost 6-0 and every thing they hit went in.

“It was a similar story in the first half, where whenever they got into our half they shot from distance, with three shots from 25-35 yards all finding the net.

“We were comfortable in the game, so the first one stunned us, it shouldn’t have done but it did.

“We talk an awful lot about reactions in our changing room but the reaction was absolutely dreadful, not necessarily from a football perspective because we continued to be the better side, but it was as weak as it gets from a mentality point of view, pointing the finger, passing on blame, disgraceful body language, the lot and when that is the case you don’t stand a chance.

“There’s always someone culbaple when a goal is scored, there’s always a mistake. I have no issues with players calling out others in the right way.

“I understand the goals were frustrating moments and out of the blue and that’s hard to take; I’m watching the same thing, but the response was petulant and I really didn’t like that.

“You have to remain together because it’s all you’ve got when you cross that white line and it was a fractured team performance which will be a lesson for them.

“They were told at half-time, which isn’t really my style, but I won’t accept watching that.

“The football was fine, but games are not won just by what you do with a ball, it’s a mentality and a togetherness that wins games.

“I deal with petulance all week with my five year old, I don’t expect it on a Saturday even if some of the lads aren’t much older.”

Brown saw a marked improvement in Saltash’s second half performance.

He said: “We came out brilliantly after half-time. We felt we could still win the game despite being 3-0 down because we controlled long parts of the game and their keeper had made some excellent saves.

“When we scored a few minutes into the second half it kicked off a brilliant period of 20 minutes where the second goal seemed inevitable as the chances kept coming.

“But we hit a moment where something changed. Maybe the water break killed our momentum, but also perhaps when we changed shape and went to two up front that affected things in a negative way as we stopped playing and starting lumping.

“Regardless, though, the attitude was better even if we had given ourselves a mountain to climb.

“When it’s 3-1 It’s always about the next goal at that stage and unfortunately it went to them on the break which you’re always vulnerable to.

“The problem when that happens late on is it open floodgates as you continue going for it and that’s what it did in the last few minutes which doesn’t make the scoreline look good.”

Brown added: “The lads will take more from it than me if they allow themselves to. I’m upset and embarrassed by the scoreline but for them they’re at the very start and have 15 years ahead of them and they will have learnt a lot of lessons if they have any sense.

“I said to them before the game the moment you think you’ve cracked it after a good week this league chews you up and spits you out and that’s what happened on Saturday.

“If they think they’re being judged when they’re 6-1 up at Radstock and 4-1 up at Wellington they’ve got another thing coming.

“They are judged when the going gets tough, and those 90 minutes on Saturday are magnified and that’s what I remember.

“For me, It genuinely hurts because I know people will be looking at the result and it stands out.

“Yes we are a young side but that’s not an excuse. I’ve protected them and their results this season by showing them the comparable results from last year but yesterday isn’t on.

“The lads have been given a great opportunity to represent this club at such a young age and they have to learn quickly and grab it.

“For me, I’ll be honest and say I didn’t sign up for this when I came here, so it’s hard to take.

“I see similarities to Keynsham’s team from last season where they had a lot of young talented players and play nice football, but lacked the balance with some experienced heads, and we’ve lost a couple more of those in the last few weeks as everyone is aware so it’s tough.

“They’ve had some tough love this weekend and will come out the other side, and all you can do is look forward.“

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