Josh Sims has said his Yeovil Town team-mates were frustrated to come away from the New Year’s Day visit to big-spending Forest Green Rovers with nothing to show for it.
The Glovers led at The New Lawn going in to the 75th minute when Bristol Rovers loanee Kofi Shaw was sent-off for a second bookable offence and the home side were awarded a penalty which swung the game back in their favour.
Former Yeovil loan defender Ryan Inniss then grabbed a winner deep in to second half injury time to deny the visitors a point which Sims felt they deserved.
Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah after the game, he said: “It was similar to the Eastleigh game (on Boxing Day) when we were playing well for large parts of the game, it is just a shame. The sending off does not help and them they get momentum from the penalty but when you play so well and get nothing out of it, it is really disappointing.
“At half-time we were comfortable, we had them locked up with the way we were plying. They had one chance from a counter attack which (Kyle McAllister) puts past the post, but for the most part we were brilliant. That is what makes it so frustrating that we have come away from this game with nothing to show for it. That is football though, you do not get rewarded for good performances unless you get a point or three points. We have to build on the good things which we have done in the last few games, but we really have to cut out those mistakes which are costing us.”
The game swung on the decision of referee James Oldham who adjudged a foul by Shaw to be inside the penalty area and awarded Forest Green a penalty and the teenage attacker a second yellow card. The incident saw the Bristol Rovers player raise his boot as former Glovers’ favourite Tom Knowles stooped to head it.
Sims said: “It is a 50-50 ball, the guy puts his head down and Kofi puts his head up, but you do see those get given. It is hard because (Kofi) does get the ball but the refs always seem to give those in favour of the guy putting their head down. It is a shame with the second yellow which really gives them momentum.”
Sims has been utilised as a left-sided wing-back in the past two games with Alex Whittle still absent and the former Southampton man says he has enjoyed the new defensive responsibility.
With no FA Trophy tie this weekend, the Glovers have a rare break in the fixture calendar meaning they are not in action again until Woking visit Huish Park on January 11th.
On his new position, Sims said: “I played there against Eastleigh. Whitts (Alex Whittle) has been out for a bit and we have not really got a left wing-back, so the Gaffer (manager Mark Cooper) has put me there in the last few games and I have really enjoyed it. It is obviously something different, you have more defensive responsibility but I have good people around me to talk me through the game which makes life a lot easier.”
On the nine-day break, he added: “Having a break at this time of the season is quite rare, but we have to be fresh and ready when the next game comes and build on the good things we have done. The break will be good for the boys who are coming back from injury and we will be ready for the next game.”
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