Football column by Forest Green Rovers manager Dave Hockaday (From Gazette Series)

Football column by Forest Green Rovers manager Dave Hockaday

10:26am Thursday 2nd September 2010 in

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WHAT a crazy week. Three games in seven days and lots of controversy!

After the home draw to Gateshead in which we dominated the game and missed a number of golden chances, including a penalty, we travelled to in-form Hayes and Yeading on Tuesday night.

The West Londoners had just won away to favourites Grimsby Town and were in buoyant mood.

We started with good purpose against an awkward diamond formation and deservedly took the lead through Reece Styche.

With little threat to our goal we looked comfortable until an incredible penalty decision went against us and Hayes levelled.

The whole match changed.

It became like a basketball game, end to end, and we lead 2-1, 3-2 and eventually won the match in the final minute 4-3. I am so glad that there was no more time for Hayes to equalise!

A great three points earned in the end with sheer guts and determination. I have a squad of players who will never give in, a great quality for a team to have.

The rest of the week was spent preparing for our big local derby at home to Bath City...and it was the most un-derby like match I have seen for a long time.

Both sets of players looked out on their feet. Their was no tempo to the game and little emotion. Nevertheless, we dominated the chances with my goalkeeper only having one save to make in the whole match.

We failed to take our openings and even with ten men, Bath earned the draw they had come for. A disappointing point, but a point nonetheless.

A quick turnaround with big spending title favourites Crawley Town on Monday.

Total intimidation from start to finish both on and off the field......and my players stood up to the challenge admirably.

In a crazy game where the young officials struggled to deal with the provocation we found ourselves with a man down when Scott Bartlett received a second yellow. Scott will now miss the game at home to Southport on Saturday.

One of their players followed him down the tunnel shortly after. Ten v ten.

Following a Lee Fowler free-kick their goalkeeper then tried to punch Styche`s head off...nine v ten and a penalty.

This is where we need to improve on the "inches" that I talk about as we inexplicably changed the spot kicker and failed for the second time to convert a penalty. We only have ourselves to blame for not taking three points from this match.

Their keeper then kicked the ball up the pitch and Gavin Caines was harshly ruled to have brought down their player, and as last man saw a straight red. Caines will also miss out on Saturday.

Incredibly the linesman then overruled the referee and adjudged that there was a mystery second contact inside the area and gave them a penalty.

Tubbs duly put the spot kick away and although we dominated proceedings from there and had three good chances to equalise the game was lost.

I am very, very proud of the way my players stood up to all the intimidation and kept their discipline under extreme provocation.

We had the game in our hands and let it slip through our fingers. Unbelievably angry and frustrated with the situation and yet so proud of my squad.

We will learn from this and grow as a group of people. Five points let go due to two penalty misses.

We must become more clinical and efficient. And yet I will go to war with my players, no doubt.

We will continue to improve and I believe we will do well this season..... eight points from six games...and it could so easily be 13 points.

These are the fine margins which will push us higher up the table.

Onwards and upwards.