No weekend off, orders Sleaford Town boss McGhee after 'rubbish' display
Sleaford Town boss Jamie McGhee refused his players a weekend off, despite no game, as he tried to get them back on course ahead of this Saturday's home clash with Swallownest.
McGhee was unhappy with their display in last week's 1-1 midweek home draw with West Bridgford and said afterwards: “I told them if we were poor we'd be in Saturday morning, and that still stands
“We can't drop standards and expect to have a free weekend. We will be working hard.”
A late equaliser by Lewis Smith had shared the points, with a fantastic effort by John Luke Fitch giving Bridgford a deserved lead early in the second half.
“First 10 minutes we were really good and created a couple of good chances that, on another day, we'd finish,” said McGhee.
“As we'd started so well I think the lads thought it was going to be an easy game.
“But West Bridgford are a tough side in good form and we'd taken our foot off the gas.
“From that moment I wasn't happy with us.
“We were not engaged enough and we were second best.
“There were a lot of rushed errors.
“I let them know at half-time it was unacceptable and that the first half was not a reflection of us and how we had been over the last three games.
“Then we conceded – it was a really good finish – and they deserved that goal as we were getting out the game what we were putting in.
“But when you are not at your best and you are rubbish, as we were - and that's not taking anything away from West Bridgford – it is important to stay in the game and give yourself a chance to get something out of the game.
“We did that and it was pleasing the subs made an impact and got us a point. We showed good resilience in the end, and that was what was important.”
Sleaford sit 12th and this Saturday's visitors, Swallownest, sit a place below them only on goal difference.
Sleaford's Development team, including first teamers Archie Bradford, Jake Henderson, Reilly Davies, Brima Daramy and Alfie Olivier-Townrow, did play at the weekend and picked up their first win as they beat Nettleham Reserves 2-1.
Zachary Shaw hit two goals in the second half as they came back from one down, though Olivier-Townrow had to go to hospital after an awful challenge just before half-time.
The Devs will look to capitalise on that momentum with an away trip against Appleby Frodingham Development this Saturday.