NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL: St Ives Town boss reacts to Alevchurch defeat by insisting his side have played worse and won
Ben Seymour-Shove gets in an effort for St Ives Town during their defeat at Alvechurch. Picture: LOUISE THOMPSON - Credit: Archant
St Ives Town manager Ricky Marheineke believes the scoreline did not reflect their performance last Saturday.
Saints’ first-ever visit to Alvechurch ended in defeat as they were beaten 2-1 in a Southern League Premier Division Central clash.
Marheineke was forced into a late change when ever-present defender Jarvis Wilson picked up an injury in the warm-up.
Owen Wallis slotted into the centre of the back-line in his place and he was only millimetres away from an early breakthrough when guiding a header against the inside of the post before his follow-up attempt drifted wide.
Saints fell behind just before the half-hour when Mitchell Botfield converted a Zak Foster cross and they saw strong penalty appeals ignored late in the opening period as skipper Robbie Parker appeared to be clipped in the box.
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A smart save denied George Bailey a leveller early in the second period and Sam Cartwright then steered a decent headed opportunity just wide before the deficit doubled as Jamie Willets put away a Botfield free-kick.
Wallis saw a goalbound header cleared by a defender as Saints continued to attack and they were eventually rewarded with a consolation goal in stoppage time.
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Mark Coulson opened his account for the club by converting a rebound after Ben Seymour-Shove’s initial effort was tipped onto a post.
“We dominated periods of both halves without ever really threatening too much,” admitted boss Marheineke.
“We hit the woodwork and had what looked like a stonewall penalty that wasn’t given in the first half, but an inability to defend a simple cross into our box led to us falling behind.
“We absolutely bossed the first 15 minutes of the second half, but then conceded again from another delivery into our box – admittedly a very good ball that was followed by an excellent header.
“It was one of those days where things didn’t quite go our way. “We’ve certainly played a lot worse and won matches, and I’m pretty sure Alvechurch will have played better and lost plenty of times in the past.”
Saints slipped six places down the Premier Division Central standings to 14th following their defeat.
Wilson is unlikely to be fit for Saints’ home clash against Biggleswade on Tuesday night while striking namesake Dylan Wilson is definitely out after sustaining concussion during the defeat at Alvechurch.
