Yates fury as win goes begging
Manager Mark Yates could not hide his disappointment, and anger, as his Harriers went down to a 2-1 defeat to relegation-haunted Altrincham and with it surrendered a seven-game unbeaten run.
Manager Mark Yates could not hide his disappointment, and anger, as his Harriers went down to a 2-1 defeat to relegation-haunted Altrincham and with it surrendered a seven-game unbeaten run.
"There have been some harsh words in the dressing room – we keep making the same mistakes. Our keeper has had two shots to save all game and they ended up in the back of the net.
"The first was poor defending – we can't play ten-yard balls on the edge of our box in these conditions.
"The second came when we allowed a quick free-kick and didn't mark anyone.
"I can only apologise to the fans who made the trip. We should be capable of closing out a game when ahead."
The game itself was played in treacherous conditions: a gale-force wind, driving rain and, within minutes of the start, an electrical storm that appeared to engulf the Moss Lane ground.
It left referee Lee Metcalfe with little option, with only 12 minutes gone, to suspend play for 15 minutes.
But Yates said: "You can't blame the pitch. Just look at our recent performances – we can't hold onto a lead."
Upon the restart, both sides struggled to adapt as the ref adopted a cautious approach to most challenges, the game being stopped constantly. That restricted the flow on a pitch that contained a great amount of surface water.
The only talking point of a poor first period was a Ryan Shotton challenge on Kiddy's James Constable that on another day could have resulted in a penalty award.
The driving rain ceased at half-time and Harriers returned in more purposeful mood. Michael McGrath collected Iyseden Christie's through ball but at the vital moment – as he tried to round keeper Stuart Coburn – the ball appeared to stick and his effort was blocked.
Justin Richards and Jeff Kenna were introduced within seven minutes of the restart and Richards made an immediate impact.
His pass – after a defensive blunder – for Christie set up the latter's fifth goal in six games.
But then Harriers' own defence let them down – again. Dean Bennett lost out to James Jennings, who delivered a telling ball behind the back line for Tom Cahill to slide in and level.
Fourteen minutes from time, a quick free-kick left Harriers in disarray and Robbie Lawton's cross was despatched by Warren Peyton.
