TUFC head coach Gary Owers was proud of his players after watching them clinch a point against National League leaders, Macclesfield Town.
“I thought we played well,” said Owers after the final whistle. “We were more resilient – defended really well when we had to. At times it was for long periods in the second half but the most pleasing factor for me was people would have thought that we would have come here today and got nothing, and the lads have showed that there is plenty of fight, and plenty of spirit, and plenty of character left in that dressing room.”
United spurned a few opportunities to take the lead in the first half but that didn’t tell the story of the game.
“We had three chances and they came very, very quickly together. You have to take one of them when you come to a place like this, and we didn’t. We went in level and I was quite pleased with the performance in the first half. Macclesfield probably gained a territorial advantage in the second half, but our lads were great. They dealt with everything – little unfortunate with the goal, I felt, just half a bad clearance and again, people would have thought that it was curtains for us but we just kept going. I’m pleased we got that equalizer, especially for the supporters that travelled a long way today.
United had to make a chance at half-time. Goalkeeper Ryan Clarke was unable to continue and Vincent Dorel replaced him and contributed to United’s win with a terrific save from Scott Wilson.
“Clarkey made a good save as well, at the end of the first half. It is probably quite awkward or difficult coming on as a goalkeeper, because you don’t get a chance to warm up, and it’s a specialist position.
“I’ve got two good ‘keepers and I used them both today and they’ve both done their jobs.”
Owers also pinpointed Aaron Barnes’ performance on his debut for the Club.
“He was excellent, and I thought he made a difference. He can play right-back, he can play in that position that I asked him to play today and for a young boy he showed great composure. He definitely added something to the team performance today.”
Elliott Romain opened his account for the Club in the 80th minute. It was the culmination of a lot of work put in by the forward.
“He’s a great lad. He doesn’t say much and he just gets on with it and hopefully he can score a few more for us. It’s nice to have a striker that looks like he can cause the opposition a few problems.”
United have plenty more to do if the Club is to avoid relegation this season. The Gaffer is well aware that results have to improve if survival is a possibility.
“No-one’s enjoyed the run we’ve been on. We’ve got off that run of defeats. It just gives us something to have a go at next week now.
“If they [the team] don’t get any confidence from a point away from home against the league leaders, they won’t get any confidence from anything. A point’s a point – you take what you get on the day. That was a good performance from the lads today. If we can just take care of that last pass on more occasions then I think we can go on and win games.”