21staug05

Sunday 21st August 2005

Fleet respond to fans criticism

Gravesend & Northfleet boss Liam Daish endured a lot of website criticism from fans after his side went bottom of the Nationwide Conference after losing their opening two games of the season, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Fleet were unlucky to lose 2-0 to current leaders, Exeter City at Stonebridge Road on the opening day of the season.

But it was their 6-1 humiliation at Grays Athletic in midweek that upset the Kent club's following, but they bounced back by winning 2-1 at arch-rivals, Canvey Island yesterday, with striker Charlie MacDonald scoring in both games, and netting a last minute winner at Park Lane.

Daish, however, was pleased his side bounced back and clawed their way off the foot of the table.

He told the Non League Paper: "This was a super response from my team after our poor start.

"The players showed a lot of character after falling behind early on. After we equalised, I told them if they kept a clean sheet in the second half we might have to wait until the 92nd minute or so to grab the winner.

"Obviously I'm delighted with Charlie MacDonald's goals. He's got three in the past two games and that's what I signed him for.

"But he works tremendously hard for the team overall and I'm delighted with him."

Daish also heaped praise on 19-year-old goalkeeper Luke McShane, who he signed from Peterborough United on the eve of the game.

"Barry Fry said he certainly wouldn't let us down," said Daish. "He made a decent save early on, and grew in confidence from that. On that display he should have a great future."

Cambridge United are the visitors to Stonebridge Road next Saturday before the Fleet make the trip to Woking on Bank Holiday Monday.