Tigers disappoint
AXMINSTER Town had produced their poorest 45 minutes of football this season when they went in two down at Sector Lane to relegation threatened Okehampton Argyle on Easter Monday afternoon.
AXMINSTER Town had produced their poorest 45 minutes of football this season when they went in two down at Sector Lane to relegation threatened Okehampton Argyle on Easter Monday afternoon.
Changes at the break saw Leo McGuire pushed forward into midfield, whilst Richard Challis and Joel Gosling were both summoned from the bench and, in the second half, the Tigers at least managed to restore some of their wounded pride.
Alex Wheatley fired them back into the contest from the penalty spot but then saw a second spot, kick saved before the visitors ensured they left with all three points with a third goal late on.
Town boss Ray Self was scathing of his side's first half display saying: "It was poor. I felt we degenerated into nothing short of a footballing rabble at times and that is so disappointing to have to report.
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"To be fair to the players, they took the half time dressing down on the chin and collectively served up something much more acceptable in the second half but, by then, the damage had been done and we were left to contemplate a home defeat against a side who I regard as the poorest we have seen this season at this level."
There were one or two exceptions to what seemed the rule of thumb with so many of the Tigers players below par.
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Lee Beer, at just 17-years of age, and Leo McGuire, escaped the wrath of the Tigers' boss who said: "Lee Beer, for all his tender years, showed exactly the sort of spirit and attitude required at this level and his performance put into the shade a number of the older players. Leo McGuire was another to impress in what was otherwise a fairly across- the-board, bad day at the office."
The Tigers are back in action on Saturday, with the visit of high-flying Exeter Civil Service. Mark Hancock, whose striking presence has been greatly missed, is expected to be back from his travelling holidays and Richard Challis, who helped make a difference against Okehampton, should be able to start, whilst Self is also hoping that Ritchie Emmet will make a return from injury.
