AFC Newbiggin coach outlines 'downfall' in narrow Boldon CA defeat

AFC Newbiggin coach Darren Maguire has admitted that a lack of creativity was his side’s “downfall” in their 1-0 defeat to Boldon CA on Wednesday evening.

In a match of few chances, the two teams were separated by a single goal, with Robbie Gateshill making the difference courtesy of his improvisational backheeled effort in the 20th minute.

And while Newbiggin did improve after the interval, they were unable to carve out an equaliser, much to Maguire’s frustration. Speaking after the final whistle at Holcim Park, he said: “It's the old cliche, a game of two halves.

“I think first half we just lacked a little bit of belief in ourselves, and then second half I thought we were by far the better team and it was unlucky. You can do what you want in the middle, but it's what you do in the final third. It just didn't seem creative enough tonight and I think that was our downfall.”

He continued: “To be honest, I can't remember very many shots on target, and their goal came from, I think, two or three of our players getting attracted to the ball, and he [Gateshill] has fluked a backheel. It's one of them, if he would have hit it proper it wouldn't have gone in, but it’s gone in. I think that was only one of a couple of chances that either team had all game, to be honest.”

Newbiggin’s next outing comes away at Tow Law Town on Saturday, August 15th.