'We were a little bit off it': Barratt backs Magpies to regain spark after Eastbourne setback

Josh Popoola and Kane Ferdinand

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On paper, Saturday’s home game against lowly Eastbourne Borough was one Maidenhead United would have expected to win off the back of six straight National League South victories.

However, a seven straight win was never going to be a formality against a full-time Eastbourne side who’d dispensed with their former manager Matt Gray in favour of former Aldershot Town boss Tommy Widdrington.

This gave the visitors an extra spring in their step as they looked to upset one of the division’s promotion contenders on their own patch.

Eastbourne weren’t magnificent by any stretch, and the Magpies will feel they deserved at least a share of the spoils on the balance of play. However, having come into the clash off the back of just two games in four weeks, the hosts looked undercooked, and lacked their usual fluency.

They were also with their influential central midfielder Matt Robinson, however, club captain Will de Havilland was able to return to partner Manny Onariase in central defence.

Freddie Carter scored the game’s only goal for the visitors, profiting from a goalkeeping error in the 64th minute to sweep home from close range.

Sam Barratt - who came on as a 70th minute substitute for Jayden Mitchell-Lawson - felt the hosts were a ‘little bit off it all over the pitch’ as they struggled to carve out presentable chances.

He’s hoping they’ll bounce back with a victory at home to Tonbridge Angels this evening (Tuesday, 7.45pm kick-off) and rediscover the momentum which carried them to six straight victories in the league prior to Saturday’s defeat,

“On paper, it looks like a game we should win right,” said Barratt.

“But they’ve had a new manager come in and everyone wants to impress in their team, so they have that energy about them. They’re a full-time team and have a good squad so it was always going to be tough.

“Maybe playing only two games in four weeks hasn’t helped us. It showed a little bit today, but we can’t make any excuses. I think we were off it a little bit all over. We didn’t create the chances or get into the right areas, but it’s nice to have a game on Tuesday so we can bounce back quickly.

“I think it’s their first corner and the first time they’d got into our box in the half. It was a disappointing mistake, but we all take responsibility for it as a team. It’s just one of those days. We haven’t created enough at the top end so we can’t blame the keeper or the back line.

“I think when you’re playing Saturday, Tuesday, the momentum is just going.

“When you’re in those areas you take those snap shots, and we just weren’t doing that today. So, Tuesday, can’t come quickly enough. I think we’ll be sharper with a bit of training on Monday, and we’ll have Saturday, Tuesday games for a few weeks so hopefully we can bounce back, get some momentum going and get back on another run.”