Rowley “couldn’t be prouder”

Yeovil Town were denied their first win of the new season thanks to another late, late Carlisle equaliser.

Speaking to BBC Radio Somerset’s Chris Spittles after the game, manager Billy Rowley said that he couldn’t hide his frustration, but felt so proud of his side after playing 20+ minutes with 10 men.

“It’s frustrating, but it’s part of football. It’s a long season. I’m nothing but proud of the lads on the pitch today. And it’s a shame obviously, we couldn’t have the music on at the end with a 1-0 win. And for the second week in a row, we’ve conceded, a goal out of nowhere, really.

You’d obviously say that when we went down to 10 men, Carlisle had their share of ball and territory, but that’s natural. But I think they entered our box once or maybe twice the whole second half, and in the 96th minute, one of those is a goal.

And I said to the boys inside, you know, we’re going to be giving out some of those late equalisers and winners this season.

We had one here against Sutton late last season, and it’s just part of the game. But I’ve got nothing but pride, really, for the lads. I’ve just had a supporter come up to me, who was probably in his 60s, and he said he’s been coming here for 30 years. And it’s the most sort of connected and, I don’t know, most sort of joy he’s been watching this team in many years, and I said that to the boys, and I think that’s part of this journey we’re on.

I’m just really happy with every single player that’s come on the pitch; they’ve completely finished on empty. They’ve worked hard, you know, we’ve played against two teams that have played in the play-offs last year and, both top managers, and, you know, some players that are incredible for the level. So, for us to be bitterly disappointed with two draws kind of shows, you know, we’re on the right path, but still really, really frustrated that we’ve not won that game, and we’ll be working very hard to make sure we continue to try and put on good performances.”

“We’re going to be giving out some of those late equalisers and winners this season.”

“I can’t speak highly enough of the support today. The crowd here, they’ve been incredible for us since we’ve come in.

“I love coming here every, you know, every time we do. That only lasts as long as performances and results are good, of course. I know that, I know what business I’m in. They were probably man of the match today for us. You know, I know the boys were clawing on at the end to get to the ball. We just ran out of energy to get to the final cross, and, you know, the only time they’ve entered our box, like I say, they’ve scored from it.

“Jos Barker again today silenced a few more people, I think. He was unbelievable for us in goal. Zain Westbrooke covered so much ground, it was ridiculous. I thought Radders [Ben Radcliffe] was unbelievable. Jordan Norville-Williams, Mason [Obeng] did a bit of a job like wider of a five today, and all across the pitch, all across the pitch, the boys have, you know, ran their absolute socks off, worked incredibly hard.

Could we have been a little bit better with the ball? Maybe, but that’s, you know, a chance to review that on Monday and Tuesday. But yeah, support was excellent. It’s just such a shame we couldn’t hold on.

Ste Walker got the Glovers’ goal on his debut in the first half and the gaffer was delighted to see him get off the mark.

​”Yeah, really good. I thought he overran it, and when he took it onto his left foot, I thought it was a tricky chance to take, but that’s what he’s got in his locker. He’s very calm in front of goal. Everywhere he’s ever been as a kid and, you know, moving into non-league football, he’s always scored goals everywhere he’s gone. His ball-striking’s incredible; he’s got different sort of shapes to his shots. I mean, I’m not going to say I had no doubt that he would score, but, it was a really good finish and—and something we’ve seen a lot of him in training.

We’re not the finished article in possession at the moment. You know, ideally we would like to make 12 passes every time we get the ball and put them on the back foot, but we’re not there yet. So, we need players that can get to the ball, and Ste did that for 60 minutes, but he obviously didn’t get on last week at Scunthorpe. He’s not fully match fit yet, and I thought he was superb today. But it was just, a couple of subs to try and inject a bit of energy to get to the ball.

​Joe Gubbins saw red for the Glovers, in the second half after two yellows and Rowley said that the vice-captain had been apologetic towards his team mates.

Gubbs, he’s very apologetic, I admire all players that do that after a red card. But obviously, Joe isn’t a stupid lad, he’s not a selfish lad.
He will blame himself for that, and, you know, in an ideal situation, yeah, we wouldn’t have wanted to get sent off, but these things happen.
You know, we’re all supporting him in that. The goalie’s got the longest kick I’ve ever seen. He can hit the ball about 150 yards, and he’s caught him off guard, and he’s got into a scrap and a race with the forward, and he’s got wrong side, and yeah, as a defender, you either like let the player have the ball, and then if he scores, someone will say, “Why didn’t you bring him down?” So, it’s a lose-lose for Gubbs there in that situation. Uh, it is what it is, yeah.”

Looking ahead to next weekend and the Glovers welcome Gateshead to Huish Park, a chance once more to get that first win on the board.

“Very early in the season. We could be stood here now with six points. Arguably should be. We’ve got another 44 games left, and every time we play, we’re going to be aiming to get three. The lads in the changing room are fully on board with that, and I’m really happy with what I’m seeing in there with that group. You know, everything they’re saying and doing and—and leading by shows me a lot of good signs, I don’t want to let a 95.52 header, first entry into the box, deflate too much from the good things I’m seeing here. So, yeah, it’s a shame we’re not stood here with six points. We’ve got two, and we’ll be trying to get many more in the future.”