CHRIS Malseed says Letterkenny Rovers have to get better at game management.
Rovers saw a golden chance slip on Sunday when they allowed nine-man Bonagee United creep back to earn a draw.
In the dying moments at Dry Arch Park, former Rovers attacker Garbhan Grant broke through to secure a 2-2 draw.
Momentarily, it felt as if the roof had caved in for Rovers.
“The way the game was going, 2-1 up and them down to nine men, we should have been able to kill the game,” experienced midfielder Malseed said.
“That didn’t happen. A long ball went over the top and it was 2-2. It was very disappointing.
“We were positive at half-time. We were playing well and they had a man down.
“It was end-to-end stuff at the end. It almost seemed as if Bonagee got extra men out of somewhere late in the game there.
“It felt like a defeat. We were 2-1 up and they had two men sent off. It was about game management from our point of view.
“If you had said to us before the game that we’d get a point from Bonagee away, we’d have taken it.”
Rovers had beaten Derry City 4-0 at the Brandywell in their previous outing. This weekend, they host Finn Harps Reserves in the bmcsports.ie Ulster Senior League with Malseed hoping his side can string a few results together.
“We have nothing lost,” Malseed insisted.
“The League is still all to play for. Bonagee have a few points extra on us, but it’s still a level enough playing field.
“I said before Sunday that it was a must-not-lose game for us.
“Bonagee had got a bit of momentum where we’ve been a bit stop-start, week-on, week-off kind of thing. It was important not to lose, but it felt like a defeat at the time.
“Game management was mentioned, before the game and at half-time. We just didn’t carry it out.
“We have to regroup quickly now and get back again.”
Harps have started well with their only League defeat coming when Deano Larkin stuck a late winner for Bonagee a couple of weeks ago.
Away wins over Fanad United and Derry City have lifted the confidence of Joe Boyle’s young charges as they head for Leckview Park with Rovers hoping to close the gap, albeit with the Cathedral Town men only having two League games played.
Fanad United and Derry City Reserves have yet to get a point on the board, but something will give at Traigh-A-Loch on Sunday.
Cockhill Celtic and Bonagee United will have FAI Intermediate Cup assignments next weekend and they meet in what looks like another seismic clash at the Charlie O’Donnell Sports Grounds.
FIXTURES
Sunday, November 17, 2pm
Cockhill Celtic v Bonagee United
Letterkenny Rovers v Finn Harps
Fanad United v Derry City Reserves