First team coach Paul Murray gave us his reaction to what had been a very entertaining game against Oldham Athletic on Tuesday afternoon as a mix of youth and first team players came out on top in a seven-goal thriller.
“That game was exactly what a few of our lads needed,” he said. “It was a bit hairy at times, especially when they got it back to 3-3, because we really should have been three or four up in the first half.
“Their keeper made some great saves, but we should have been a little bit more ruthless, to be honest. We played some great stuff in the first half, and we had a back four of kids who all did really well, so it was pleasing.
“When it got to 3-3 we did wonder whether we’d be able to come back and win it, and it was a screamer from Taylor [Charters] that did that in the end. I’m pleased for all of the lads.”
“We had an experienced midfield, with Jones, Kennedy and Glendon, so we knew they’d keep the ball well on a difficult pitch,” he continued. “I thought the work ethic was there, and that’s what we demand. You’ve got to work, and you’ve got to want to work, and that’s what they all did in this game.
“The second half was a little bit disappointing, a couple of young lads came on a gave the ball away simply, which you can’t do. I don’t mind one or two times but when it’s a regular occurrence it’s a bit disappointing. The majority of the younger lads did really well, which was good to see.
“Overall it was a good performance, which is what it’s all about, because we’re interested in what we do, and how we went about it. I thought some of our goals were brilliant.
“Liam McCarron was excellent at times, as was young Jarrad Branthwaite. We did really well as a unit and the older lot showed good examples which was pleasing.
“It was good to get another 90 minutes into JK, and Mark Cullen had an hour, which is important for him. He’s also trying to claim he got a goal, but I’m not sure whether it came off his shorts or the only hair he has on his head!
“All strikers want to score goals in any game, and he even had a word with the ref to make sure he put it down as a goal from the number 9! We all want him to do that for the first team so hopefully that will give him a bit of a boost."
And on a trial appearance for former Brentford and QPR forward Kingsley Eshun, he said: “He did well even though he hasn’t played out on the right before. He’s more of a hold-up man down the middle.
“He scored a good goal at the back stick and he did ok throughout the game. He’ll stay with us for the rest of the week and we’ll take it from there.”
Click HERE to watch an interview with Paul Murray on iFollow United now.
Click HERE to see a clip from this interview on our YouTube channel. Follow the same link for more FREE content right from the heart of the club.