Godolphin Atlantic boss Adam Paterson was left with conflicting emotions after witnessing his young side concede two late goals to draw 3-3 at Wadebridge Town, writes Tom Howe.
Sam Wickens inflicted early pain upon the depleted visitors when cutting inside from the left and breaking the deadlock with a cool finish across former Bridger Dan Peters. However, in the space of just 12 minutes, the G had fought back to lead 3-1 thanks to an own goal and two strikes from diminutive winger Francis Pengelly.
A shell shocked Wadebridge side soon strangled back the ascendency and capitalised on two second-half errors to earn a share of the spoils, with Kyle Flew and Jacob Smale finally beating the in-form Peters, whose performance ultimately prevented Paul Rowe’s men from snatching all three of the points on offer.
Needless to say, the away dugout was left ruing the lapses in concentration that cost their two-goal advantage and a second win in three South West Peninsula Premier West fixtures. Although, so early into a complete squad rebuild, Paterson accepted that moments such as those at Bodieve Park will occur and instead challenged his players to show more consistency over 90 minutes.
“For me, that is two points dropped,” said Paterson, himself an ex-Wadebridge player. “We could have lost – Wadebridge played really well in the second half – but I thought it was two points dropped. The two goals we conceded [in the second half] were our own doing. We gave away a free-kick on the edge of our own box and then, for the third goal, nobody has got tight enough. Those were two moments where we have let our concentration go and that has cost us.
“We would have been happy to have taken a point at the start of the game but then we were up 3-1 up at half-time. With the personnel that were missing, we expected to be under the cosh as, for the 11th or 12th game in a row, we are changing our back line against what is a prolific forward line. You have to adapt your style and that is where the high press works a treat for us with the front three that we have got.
“The link-up play between Matty [Walker] and Francis in that first-half was incredible and their two goals were identical. These are patterns of play that we are working on and that is us at our best but it is about finding a way of producing that for 90 minutes. It seems that we say the same things every week but when you’re six months into what is a long-term project, you sort of expect there will be moments when you’re under the cosh.
“I thought we dealt with that relatively well but there were those two moments when we switched off and gave them two goals. There were times where we could have thrown that game away had [Dan] not been there, too. He saved us a point and has been fantastic in every game that he has played for us so far. He has made a big difference with his experience and leadership, and in the way he commands the penalty area.”
[Featured image: Colin Bradbury / Cornwall Sports Media]
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