Positive point for Simkin (From Dorset Echo)

Positive point for Simkin

9:21am Wednesday 2nd January 2013 in Sport By David Williams, Sports Reporter

PHIL Simkin was determined to take the positives out of his side’s 2-2 with Truro City yesterday as the Magpies were undone by a last-ditch equaliser at the Avenue.

Rather than look at it as two points dropped, Simkin saw it as one gained and hopefully the start of a long unbeaten streak going into the new year.

Simkin felt the Magpies deserved the win based on their performance after the break and singled out the club’s player of the month for October and November, Ashley Nicholls, for special praise.

“I thought on our second half performance we deserved to win the game but we didn’t,” he said.

“But it’s important we take something out of each game we play and I hope this is the start of a long unbeaten run.

“We’ve got another point on the board and although I’m disappointed we didn’t win I’m delighted with the way we played, especially in the second half. I thought Ashley Nicholls was outstanding.

“We’ve got a point, it’s just disappointing to lose two that late in the day. We had chances to tie it up but once again we didn’t take them. We need to score more goals, that’s the bottom line.”

The Dorchester chief, while trying to look on the bright side, wasn’t enamoured with his team’s defending for the second Truro goal, which was smashed in by Jake Ash deep into injury time.

However, Simkin was also quick to compliment the Cornish outfit, in particular striker Andy Watkins, who Truro will do well to hang on to.

He added: “I was disappointed by the manner of the second goal. It was just a straight forward punt up field and how the lad got in I don’t know.

“It was a very difficult game. Truro are a very good side, not a bottom of the table side by any means, and they’ll take points off a lot of teams.

“Andy Watkins up front for them was outstanding and I can’t think of a better front player in this league at the moment.”

Hayes & Yeading visit the Avenue on Saturday and at least Dorchester will start that game knowing they aren’t in the Blue Square Bet South relegation zone having climbed two places in the table with their point against Truro.