NEIL YOUNG believes his team are lucky to have a second chance in the FA Trophy.
The Chester manager admitted his side were poor and refused to excuse his players’ performances after seeing the Blues draw 2-2 at home to Worksop Town in their third qualifying round tie.
Nathan Jarman had netted twice inside the opening 15 minutes to put Chester 2-0 ahead, but his team were pegged back by the visitors from one division below who will now host this Wednesday’s replay.
“We started well and got ourselves a 2-0 lead, but I thought we started to get a little bit sloppy during the last 15 minutes of the first half,” Young said.
“I knew what Worksop were about and I knew that they would come out fighting. They had a shot that just went wide of the post in the first minute of the second half, but we were very poor in the second half.
“There were no excuses and in the end we’re probably lucky still to be in the competition.
“If Nathan’s goal had gone in before the break rather than hitting the bar then it probably would have been game on, but we always have to see teams off.
“The Worksop management team obviously got their lads fired up before they appeared for the second half, but we just didn’t turn up.
“My lads have got to start being brave. There were a few players complaining when I walked into the changing room, but they have got to go out and perform.
“We’re not here to all pat one another on the back or hand bouquets out to each other, we’re here to win a football match.
“Gone are the days when people took a good rollicking and got on with it. But that’s football and if we want to be successful or be a winner then we have to take the rough with the smooth.”
Young, who watched Worksop reduce their deficit when Leon Mettam punished a goalkeeping error by John Danby in the 53rd minute, and then saw Ash Burbeary equalise 12 minutes from time, revealed he knew what was going to happen.
He added: “I just knew what was coming and that’s why I had a go at the players at half-time.
“I could tell with our demeanour what was happening. We probably thought it was too easy and it was just like that when we played against Histon when we let them have the ball and then we didn’t do what we are good at - pressing the game.
“If you look at the first goal we conceded on Saturday it was one on one defending, but a ball over the top happened about four times in the first half and we got away with it.
“We didn’t get away with that when it happened after the break, but when are my players going to listen and try and take on board what I tell them?
“I told Gary (Jones) and Alex (Hay) at the break that I wasn’t very happy about the players’ mindset or mentality and I could see what was going to happen.
“A few of the players were unhappy with me at half time because they said I was a bit negative, but I don’t do negative.
“We’re men and we’re footballers and we were 2-0 up at home. I wanted the players to take a few things on board because I could see what was coming.
“I know that some of my players may won’t me to make excuses for them, but I won’t. We weren’t good enough and probably, on our second half performance, we’re lucky to still be in the competition.”