Cooper: We deserved a point

Yeovil manager Mark Cooper spoke to BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah following the Glovers’ 2-1 defeat at home to Barnet.

The gaffer admitted it was something of a game of two halves, with the Glovers really getting going in the second 45 minutes.

“I thought we were brilliant, second half, we were outstanding, I thought we had a right go, listen, we are patched up at the moment, disjointed, because we can’t field the same defensive unit two weeks running.

First half, we’ve got a new player in the back line, first half we were tentative, we didn’t win enough headers, which enabled them to gain territory and get up the pitch, and in the second half, I thought we deserved at least a point.

On a different day, with a different…again… referee, we’d have got at least a point.”

On the 97th minute decision (or non decision) surrounding the mistimed tackle on Ed James in the Barnet box, Cooper, much like DAZN’s Aaron McClean (and just about everyone inside Huish Park) thought it should have seen Yeovil awarded a last-minute penalty.

“Yeah, it is a penalty, [he] swipes his leg away. Josh Sims shoots, the keeper tips it onto the post, and then Ed James comes, goes to shoot, ducks inside and the lad just sweeps his leg away. 

We’re at home, in front of our home end, every week they’re given, we had four bookings [ed, Flash Score only lists two], they had none.

Jarvis got absolutely pulled from pillar to post, no free kick given… he’s had three shirts on tonight, nothing.”

The game also saw Yeovil hand a debut to Exeter loanee Ed James in defence and despite a moment of injury concern Cooper was pleased with how he grew into the game.

“Difficult start for him and Morgs, Barnet played a lot of quality long balls forward and they didn’t deal with those too great, second half we put a front screen on and we started to gain territory. Second half he looked more accomplished, he’ll be better for that.

I thought Barnet looked a really, really good team, really well coached, but I thought we deserved a point on our second half display for sure.”

Looking forward, Cooper was hopeful that lady luck would shine on his side a bit more in the near future, coupled with removing a couple of silly errors, YTFC would find themselves back in match winning form soon.

“I’m sure that we’ll start to get some decisions, it has to, has to happen, listen, we can’t blame the ref because we didn’t get a result, we had a chance to score with Simsy, we got back in the game and then gave a rubbish second goal away, a free header in the six yard box,  we’re well in the game.

I was really pleased with the effort tonight, with the players we’ve got missing, I thought it was a top shift.”