Interim Co-Manager Cliff De Gordon shared his thoughts on our 0-0 draw with Dover Athletic on Saturday Afternoon
On the game as a whole Cliff explained his share of the events at the Crabble Athletic Stadium
“I’m disappointed, not disappointed with the boys but disappointed with the performance. In the end the point was probably the best we could do with 10-men after Devante got Sent-Off in the 79th Minute”
“It was one of those games, it was never going to be pretty. We set up because we knew they were like us in that they’d fight for everything so we set up narrow today, which doesn’t really suit us.”
“We fashioned out a few chances, Jake McCarthy hit the post, Ryan Seager at the end, a great save by their keeper [Matt Rowley]. The fans at the end told me it was going in and he’s just tipped it around the post! Brendan Willson had a diving header that was going in from a corner so even though we didn’t play great we could’ve nicked it”
“We’ve struggled to win away across the last 18 months, so I can’t be too disgruntled at the fact we’ve picked up a point on our travels. That’s football unfortunately”
“We’ve got to keep battling. Ross Worner’s had a half chance to save, they didn’t really pose a threat. There wasn’t really much quality out there today it was just battle, battle, battle, battle.”
Speaking on the Devante Stanley Red Card
“Devante [was sent off with] two Yellow Cards, the second of which was right infront of us. He’s just thrown himself to the ground. He now misses next week [against Weymouth]”
Talking on the injuries sustained during the game to a couple of Hawks players
“Alfy Whittingham got a knee in the Coccyx, a very painful one and his bruising has come up already which is why he was struggling to move. Harry Jewitt-White felt a bit of a strain on his groin.”
Speaking on the return of Jack Jebb to the squad and coming off the bench
“Jebby played well when he came on, he had a bit of a tweak in his knee last week and early part of this week and he’s been out a couple of days. He came back in saw the physio and now he looks and feels fine. He could’ve potentially started today but was only back in training two days ago, so we’re just easing him back in gently”
Speaking on the feelings in the squad following the result
“The boys are disheartened in there, but don’t worry about it. It’s still in our hands, I’ve said keep your chins up. A point is better than nothing. These guys have got to remember, they’ve have won 3 games on the road in the last 15 months and now they’re dejected that they didn’t win today. That shows me they’re up for the fight.”
Commenting on the support from the Hawks fans who made the journey
“I want to thank the fans that came down today, they were superb. They were making some noise and were brilliant. I had a chat with them before the game and they were on good form. It’s just unfortunate that I couldn’t give them anything to go home with a smile on their face.”