Mark Cooper was happy with a ‘good point’ at Tamworth on Tuesday night as his Yeovil Town side drew 0-0 in a match the saw a controversial red card for Morgan Williams and an injury to Matt Worthington.
Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Josh Perkins following the match, Cooper said his side stood up to a physical Tamworth.
“It’s a tough place to come. You know, when you see the balls going in the box and you know they’re physical, we had to stand up to it. We didn’t really get any protection, and we stood up to it. I thought we were really good, just the only thing missing was that fine little touch. We’ve had a great chance early on, Morgan Williams’ free header from four yards out, and then young Kofi has gone clean through. You know, we’ve had some other bits and pieces. On another night, we win the game comfortably. But listen, we’ll take the point,” he said.
On his side’s attacking efforts, the boss added: “As long as we keep creating chances, I’m more than happy. I think our fans can see we’ve got a team that work their socks off. They have got a brilliant defensive record [and] another clean sheet. and I’m convinced that the players we’ve got will will really hit the straps and start scoring lots of goals.”
Williams was given his marching orders in the 70th minute after a tackle to stop a Tamworth counter attack on the edge of their penalty box and Cooper felt the red was harsh: “[It’s] never a red card. Because, for a red card you have to go with real force, or you’re denying a goal scoring opportunity. Morgan’s come from the side. He’s tried to win the ball. He’s planted his feet in between their guys legs, and he’s gone over. It’s not a red card tackle. I mean, I’ve seen plenty of them, been on the end of them, done plenty myself, that is never a red card. [It’s] not out of control. He’s just mistimed it. He’s put his leg in between there guys legs. He’s not off the floor with two feet, it’s a one-legged tackle. The referee looked to me like he couldn’t wait to get his red card out.”
Matt Worthington was papped on crutches with his a foot in a protective boot and has since posted a video of him rolling his left ankle on the unforgiving 4G surface before kick off
“He just jumped up to get warm and just twisted his ankle on the surface, as their guy did when he came on second half. So there’s about eight players on crutches in there for both teams. So listen, when you take it all into account, it’s a good point.”