MAINE ROAD 2, BACUP BOROUGH 3
New manager Leon Depasois-Mike was frustrated by Maine Road’s lack of a killer instinct in the home defeat to Bacup Borough in North West Counties League, First Division North.
The former Manchester City and Aberdeen striker says the new-look team – there were only three survivors from last season – remains work in progress as it is only three weeks since he and Stephen Sheil took charge.
“It hasn’t been ideal coming in so late, but I am not using that as an excuse. A lot of the lads know how we work and it is about smoothing them into men’s football,” explained Depasois-Mike who, along with Sheil last managed Bury U23s.
“We believe in this group of players. We were the better footballing side in the first half, but I was disappointed my boys didn’t nail it and take the game by the scruff of the neck when we were on top.
“That is something you have to do if you are to be successful.”
Road, who drew their opening game on Saturday, were up against a Boro side which made it two wins out of two.
They edged the goalless opening period when Boro defended well, making block after defensive block.
Road had the best chance of the half on the stroke of the break when Destiny Elias forced a great save from keeper William Blake.
“We had a chat at half-time about our lack of quality in the final third where our service could have been a lot better on the night,” Depasois-Mike continued.
But those words were not heeded as Road made an awful start to the second half and within eight minutes were 2-0 behind.
Big Boro centre back and captain Joe Fallon headed home at the far post from an in-swinging corner with the hosts claiming keeper Sam Jones had been impeded.
But there was no doubt about the second, a 25-year screamer from winger Josh Walne.
It looked as though Boro would run away with the match as strapping centre forward Kaiden Barlow was three times denied by excellent stops from Jones.
Road somehow weathered the storm and in the 87th minute halved the deficit.
Blake parried an angled shot but only as far as substitute Mason Beard who swept the loose ball home.
Suddenly it was game on as Boro had appeared to be strolling to victory.
But there was further drama in the seven plus minutes of stoppage time.
Road, pressing for an equaliser, were caught by a ball over their defence as Barlow sprinted clear to slot home Boro’s third.
But if they thought they were home and dry, they were in for a shock as never-say-die Road reduced the deficit again in the 97th minute when substitute Lewis McGill fired home a low shot.
It ensured a nervy final 60 seconds for Boro who held on for a second victory in which they had scored three goals as they are second in the table and only behind leaders Daisy Hill on goal difference.