Valley bounce back after Abboh reads riot act - McTaggart scores the goals for minnows Tudor Sports

Cray Valley (PM) player coach Dennis Abboh read his side the riot act following their recent 2-0 defeat at Stansfeld Oxford & Bermondsey Club.


He told www.kentishfootball.co.uk:  “We made the short journey over to Stansfeld and returned home a well beaten side.

”We lost to a team that deserved everything they got from this game because it was Stansfeld that looked more organized, showed greater belief and played with the sort of passion you need to win football matches.
 
“I was disappointed and angry with our display. We must start learning from these sorts of games, we need to have more leaders on the field, people who will stand up and be counted and not expect others to get them out of a rut.
 
“It's about taking responsibility and having the mental strength to fight fire with fire. Too often we were second best.

”It is fair to say that football matches can turn on the smallest of details and in the first half we had two excellent chances to score and maybe if either or both of those chances had gone in we might have been looking at a different result.
 
“However, in saying that Stansfeld had plenty of chances in the first period to have had the game wrapped up.
 
“I don't believe in papering over the cracks and I have to look at the whole game and not just isolated incidents. Hence, for ninety minutes we were never really in this contest.
 
“The big difference was Stansfeld wanted this more, simple as that and this was clearly shown by their work ethic. They had players who were prepared to roll up their sleeves and go that extra mile. How the two teams went in at halftime scoreless was baffling to say the least.

”In the second half we came out and for the first quarter we improved without ever looking in control of the match. Our day was summed up by the way we conceded the first goal. With ample opportunities to clear a bouncing ball out of our box we somehow allowed the ball to cross our goal line.
 
“The rest of the second half saw us defending and chasing shadows. Too often we were caught in possession, too often we gave the ball away cheaply, and too often we were out of position.
 
“How do you expect to win football matches if you're not doing the basics? Stansfeld confirmed their dominance with a smartly taken goal after being awarded a free kick. The ball was played out to an unmarked attacker, who brought the ball under control before steering a right foot shot into the bottom corner. The final whistle could not come quick enough.
 
“I have said it far too many times but we must start taking on board what is being said, whether it be from me, the manager or fellow team mates.
 
“I have also said that you learn a lot more about your team after defeats and today we only had ourselves to blame.
 
“It's easy to point fingers it's a lot harder to look at yourself and analyse your own performance, and I include myself in that.
 
“At the end of the day, its players that win or lose football matches. Coaches and managers are there to help and guide them but once the players cross that white line it is them and only them that can influence the game.
 
“I hope our lads are as hurt and disappointed as me, because if their not then they need to think why there playing football in the first place!

”I apologise to our supporters and thank them for coming along and supporting us. We will do better!”
 
Cray Valley took heed of Abboh’s advice as they bounced back by beating Crockenhill 3-1 on Saturday and are now just two points behind British Energy Kent County Premier League leaders Bromley Green in third place.
 

Meanwhile, former Dartford and Erith Town striker Glen McTaggart, has scored nine goals for unbeaten division two west leaders Tudor Sports.