‘Diplomatic’ Bishop’s Stortford manager Steve Castle unimpressed with match officials and pitch in 2-1 defeat at Kettering Town
Steve Castle gave a “diplomatic and quite a boring” interview after far from enjoying his day out at Kettering Town on Saturday.
The Bishop’s Stortford manager was pleased with his players’ response to a couple of first-half mistakes which led to opposition goals in the 2-1 defeat to the Pitching In Southern League, Premier Central leaders.
But the boss was less impressed with the performance of the officials and the condition of the playing surface at Latimer Park.
“I thought we were really unlucky and I didn’t think the financial difference between them and us was shown,” said Castle, whose side halved the deficit with 16 minutes left through Rashawn Scott before the scorer was sent off in added time.
“We made a few mistakes on not the greatest pitch in the world. We got adjusted to it in the second half and were arguably the better team.
“We had a few [important players] out - it was a little bit backs to the wall, we knew that.
“I wasn’t too chuffed with the officials - there’s my diplomacy - and not too chuffed about this place, if I’m truthful, but there you go and I’ll leave it like that.
“I’m really, really pleased with what we contributed, with the conditions and what we’ve got at this moment in time.
“[Our] attitude to come back after a couple of mistakes in the first half was superb.
“Could we have got something? Possibly, but I was pleased with the general attitude albeit in a loss.”
The boss gave a debut to new signing and former Takeley striker Lanre Balogun and was able to start Ryan Charles after he recovered from illness just in time.
“Larry [Balogun] has come in up top and I was really pleased with him,” said Castle.
“Charlesy’s been ill most of the week and he’s got himself in a place where he could play 90 minutes.