Gee rues missed chance

Rainworth Miners Welfare manager Kevin Gee has branded Tuesday night’s home Evo-Stik NPL First Division South defeat to Brigg Town as a missed opportunity, writes Gordon Foster.

The 2-1 defeat was the Wrens’ second successive reverse as they looked to bounce back from Saturday’s 3-0 loss at Coalville. Despite finding an early equaliser and creating a host of second half chances, Gee's side gifted the Zebras their first win of the campaign late on.

Coalville’s 5-1 win at Halesowen last night at least put Rainworth’s defeat by the Ravens into some sort of perspective, especially given the absence of key midfielders Callum Lloyd and Jared Holmes from the squad that day.

That meant they conceded the midfield, in turn not creating chances, and also leading to the defence coming under extra pressure. But the return of Lloyd on Tuesday helped bring about the restoration of Rainworth’s new passing game, and on this occasion the forwards certainly couldn't complain about a lack of creativity.

Gee said: "I refused to blame the lack of two supposedly key players for Saturday’s defeat because I’ve built a squad which should be good enough to cope with those occasions.

"But the Brigg game was very much a missed opportunity. We controlled the second half, we must have won around 20 corners through the match, we have created nine or 10 chances, four of them clear cut, and we have come away with nothing.

"Take those chances and it becomes a different conversation, but then we have switched off for one moment and they have hit us on the counter-attack. I suppose you could say we were caught pushing forward in too great numbers and left ourselves exposed a bit at the back, but in the end they have been in our half twice in the second half but have been more clinical and have won the match.

"The game was there for the taking as far as we were concerned but we have come away with nothing, and that’s hugely disappointing after the feel-good factor about the place last week."

Rainworth are now in cup action over the next two weekends, and Gee sees that as an opportunity to turn things around again.

On Saturday his former managerial partner at Sutton Town and then Glapwell, Les McJannet, brings his Carlton Town side back to Rainworth in the FA Cup. The following week Evo-Stik Southern League Leighton Town visit in the FA Trophy.

Gee added: "n a way a break from league action could not have come at a better time for us. Saturday will be a big game. It’s a local derby, there is a lot at stake financially and it might just prove to be the change of scenery that we need to get ourselves back on track.

"We have two weeks now to look again at the overall squad and check on its depth. We all know what a good side Carlton are, but we began the season very well and you don’t become either a good or a bad side overnight.

"We just have to learn from these last two games. Of course the lads are disappointed because it’s the second time we have totally dominated a game we have ended up losing, but as a manager I will be judged only on results, so it’s up to me to turn things around again."