Slimbridge AFC manager Tom Deakin was pleased with his side’s resilience after their 1-1 draw against Hereford Pegasus.
A late equaliser from Slimbridge’s Will Hawes in the 87th minute cancelled out Rory Thompson’s fantastic free kick, resulting in the game finishing all-square.
“The whole game is a positive for us,” said Deakin.
“It’s been a tough year in terms of going for it before the game about availability and what we’ve had this year and issues and everything.
“Our back line defended brilliantly and just got breached that one time, and our front line created so many chances.
Deakin continued, “We seem to have found something out that works for the group, and we’re working on moving forward.”
FT: Slimbridge AFC 1-1 Hereford Pegasus
— Slimbridge AFC (@slimbridgeafc) February 1, 2025
The points shared at Thornhill Park.#UpTheSwans🦢 pic.twitter.com/fN3R3xBUQ5
Despite earning a well-deserved point that may be crucial in their bid to climb to the top of the Hellenic League Premier Division, Deakin believed his side lacked ruthlessness in front of goal.
He said: “We just didn’t put the ball in the back of the net.
“I said at halftime it might cost us, and it nearly did, but the chances we created in the first half, we should have been in front. I don’t think they could argue if we were.
“Even in the second half, if we had taken any one of those chances, I don’t think they could have argued. They’ve come back into the game for a 10-minute spell, and then we’ve shown good character at the end to get the goal back and get a point out of it.”
Earlier in the season, joint manager Adam Coyle made the decision to step back from his role, leaving Deakin with extra responsibility, leading the Swans as first team manager alone ever since.
“It’s been hard at times, especially like today, where I’ve got nobody there with me,” revealed Deakin.
“But it’s about my rolling my sleeves up, getting on with it, and working hard to move us forward.
“Results haven’t quite been where we want them, but performances have been there, so we feel like we’re turning a corner.
“We need to pick up as many points as we can first and foremost and give the fans here a few more wins because I think the performances are getting there now.”
Slimbridge has managed to reach the quarterfinal of the GFA Challenge Trophy, where they face Shortwood United at the end of the month.
“It’s the local one that you want to try and win, so that’ll be the overall target now to see how far we can go in that.”
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