NEIL YOUNG described his team’s exit from the FA Trophy as a ‘learning curve’.
The Chester boss is hoping his side can learn from the experience of a frustrating and disappointing 3-2 second round defeat by Conference Premier hosts Ebbsfleet United.
Matty McNeil pulled a goal back for Chester with a 62nd minute header after Ebbsfleet had led 2-0 in the 55th minute, and Jamie Rainford provided hope of a dramatic fightback for the Blues when he made it 3-2 with 18 minutes left.
“I was disappointed with the result and frustrated with all three of the goals we conceded because we knew that Ebbsfleet’s strength was set-pieces and they scored off two of them,” Young said.
“I told the players in the dressing room after the game that I thought we were very naive at times after the way we had gone about certain situations in the match. But I also thought the players were outstanding after giving everything they had.
“Unfortunately we gave some sloppy goals away, but we did get two goals back to get ourselves back into the game and for a lot of the match I don’t think anyone would have known who was the Conference side who who was the Northern Premier League club.
“I’ve got to give great credit to my lads, but you’ve also got to give great credit to Ebbsfleet because they’ve got some good players, their movement up front was very good, and Callum Willock and Michael West are good players.
“The match gave me an opportunity to see how well equipped we are against probably the highest level of opposition we are likely to face this season.”
Young underlined the loss of Matty McGinn, Jerome Wright and Antoni Sarcevic with injuries as a big factor during the tie, and added: “We had three big injuries in the game and I had to move Christian Smith to left back after the loss of Matty (McGinn) with a hamstring injury before half time.
“Our game plan was all about getting out as full backs and getting balls into the box, and doubling up in wide areas, so to lose Matty was a big blow.
“But everybody could see that we gave it a good go and unfortunately on the day we just came up short.
“We were very naive at times and we’ve got to learn from that. But I was so proud of the lads because they gave it a right go.
“We could have been a goal or two up before Ebbsfleet scored and it could have been a different game. But that’s football and you have to take your chances. Every one of my players worked their socks off and I couldn’t ask any more from them.”
Revealing that his players believed they deserved something out of the tie after a spirited performance, Young said: “The feeling in the dressing room afterwards was that we should have got something out of the game, so there was a lot of disappointment and frustration.
“We knew we were sloppy and we knew we could defend better than we did. But one or two of the players at times were only interested in looking after themselves rather than looking after their mates a little bit more.
“It’s all about a learning and a learning curve, but I was very pleased with what I saw from my lads because we musn’t forget that we lost three key players and that made a difference.
“Jerome Wright picked up an ankle problem, Matty McGinn is struggling with a hamstring injury and Antoni Sarcevic looked like he may have bruised or broken his ribs.
“It doesn’t rain, but it pours. They could be out for our next game, adding to Michael (Powell) and Wes (Baynes), so I don’t know what I’m going to do.”