Lack of graft cost us, says Roughyeds’ Benson

DISAPPOINTED Oldham coach Tony Benson felt his team were outplayed by the Scorpions in Caerphilly, after being sent to a fourth straight away defeat in Co-operative Championship One this season.

“We only played in patches,” said Oldham coach Tony Benson.

“We were outplayed and out-enthused for large parts of the game and played the price. We didn’t work hard enough and because of that, nothing went our way.

“The Scorpions gave us a lot of trouble. They were enthusiastic and committed in everything they did. That compounded our problem.

“We should have broken their defence down but we didn’t and that was our problem. You can’t win a game by not having the ball and we didn’t have enough of it, especially in the first half.

“We didn’t give the Scorpions enough defending to do so we didn’t tire them down at all.

“We played to the pitch rather than what was in front of us. It was a big wide pitch and we went away from what we practised to do.

“We weren’t straight and direct enough on a big pitch and were too wide. Our gaps were too big so their little nippy boys were getting past our big men and using their feet on them to good effect.”

Benson gave credit to Neil Roden, who played well despite being one of a few players who went down with a suspected chest infection which surfaced during the game.

“It was difficult for him,” said Benson.

“He was very sick, especially at half-time, but he battled on.

“Liam Gilchrist also did a good job for us in the front row and Martin Roden was as reliable as ever.

“Some of the players had good patches but they were inconsistent. They didn’t play well for long enough or do it once.

“That’s what came back to bite us.”