The Nailers earned a home draw against either Kendal Town of Cammell Laird on the 27th October after a replay victory but manager Peter Duffield thought it should have been over long before it came to penalties.
“We should have wrapped it up in normal time, he said, “ we had the chances to put the game out of sight of Leamington but didn’t take them, and then when they came back to draw level we should still have pushed on to win it especially as they were down to 10 men.
“I thought we were the best team over the two games and deserved to go through and we now potentially have another team from a higher league if Kendal get through so we are having to do things the hard way.”
The Nailers went to Loughborough Dynamo last Saturday looking for their first league win of the season but had to settle for a point for the fifth time in six games this season.
“One or two players looked a little short of energy after the marathon game in the FA Trophy in midweek but I was pleased with the performance even though we couldn’t find the net despite creating plenty of chances.
“A point against a good Loughborough side is no bad thing but we need to start winning and to get just a point last Saturday felt a bit like we had lost, but we have to pick ourselves up and go to Gresley on Tuesday to see if we can do better.”
Duffield is getting concerned about the high proportion of missed chances and knows it is hampering his side’s ability to get results.
“Our goals return against chances created isn’t high enough and we need to improve on that,” he said.
“We dominated Loughborough for long spells last Saturday and if we had won 3-0 it would have been a fair reflection, but there’s not a lot wrong with the squad; we’ve been playing well and results should come soon.”
There doesn’t seem to be any light at the end of the tunnel for last year’s leading goal scorer Jon Froggatt who has suffered a setback in his battle to regain full fitness.
“He appeared to be doing so well, “ explained Duffield, “but then broke down in training and will see the specialist again on Tuesday, but it looks like we will have to soldier on without him for a few more weeks yet.”
Loan signing Andrew Siribour (pictured) has made an impact in the three games he has played since joining the Nailers on a month’s loan.
He scored a goal in each of the Leamington games and has shown up well as a striker with his pace causing problems for opposition defenders.
“He’s a good player and has done well for us but like many loan players who haven’t been playing regular football, he looked a little heavy legged against Loughborough but once he’s fully fit he will be a threat to any defence,” said Duffield.
Belper Town’s reserve side came unstuck last Saturday when they lost at home to Eastwood Town Reserves by 6-2 and they will be looking to get back to winning ways when the travel to Rainworth Miners Welfare next Saturday.
Meanwhile the Nailers first eleven renew their acquaintance with the Moat Ground and Gresley FC on Tuesday, while Carlton Town are the visitors to Christchurch Meadow on Saturday.
Nigel Oldrini.
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