PHILLISKIRK ON ‘GAME OF TWO HALVES’ AGAINST ADDICKS

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U18s coach reflects on opening day draw

2023-08-14T10:30:00.000Z

PHILLISKIRK ON ‘GAME OF TWO HALVES’ AGAINST ADDICKS

U18s coach reflects on opening day draw

2023-08-14T10:30:00.000Z

PHILLISKIRK ON THINGS ‘CLICKING’ FOR HIS SIDE AHEAD OF FLEETWOOD FIXTURE - Image 2

Tony Philliskirk believed that his side were much improved in the second half of their season-opening 1-1 draw with Charlton Athletic.

Micah Mbick opened the scoring for the Addicks, who saw the better of the chances in the opening 45, before Adam Abbas slotted a strike into the bottom corner 12 minutes from time.

Speaking post-match, Philliskirk said the U18s were ‘half a yard off it’ in the first half, but we pleased with their response after the break.

The Clarets coach said: “It was a game of two halves really, I thought we looked leggy and a bit off it in the first half, but you’ve got to give Charlton credit, they’re a very good team.

“We just seemed half a yard off it, and I said that to the lads at half time as we were nearly getting to things, but in football nearly gets you nowhere.

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“In that respect, we had a good chat at half time when we were 1-0 down but apart from the penalty, I don’t think Jon had a save to make.”

After going into the break behind, Philliskirk was keen to express that his players got better in the second half and did well to find a way back into the game.

He added: “I was really pleased with the response second half; we made three substitutions and the three young lads that went on had a real positive impact on the game and that’s the subs job, to come on and make an impact.

“I’ve got to say, Jon’s [Ander Vilar Robinson] made a great save at 1-0 to keep us in the game and if that goes to 2-0 with half an hour to go it’s game over.

“Logan’s [Carlin] had a couple of good chances to win it for us and the timing of his running and his desire to run beyond created those chances.

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“And I’m really pleased for Adam [Abbas] who got himself another goal, he’s been scoring goals in pre-season and scored again.

“Their ‘keeper makes a wonder save off Logan and then Logan hits the post so theoretically we could be sitting saying we’ve just won the game 3-1, but we could also say we could have lost the game 2-0 because Jon’s made a fantastic save at 1-0.

“On the balance of the game, I thought we got better second half, but was a draw a fair result? I’ve got to be honest I thought they were much better than us first half, so yes.”

Despite the draw, Philliskirk thinks the Young Clarets can take a lot out of the game, ahead of their next fixture, against Millwall on Saturday - 19th August.

He finished by saying: “It was a great learning game for the lads, we’ll take a lot out of that when look back through analysis.

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“We’ve definitely got to be better and try and control the game a little bit more, I think we were a little bit rushed in the first half and we said that to the lads.

“As the game got stretched, we got a lot better in that field and I think that led to us having an increased amount of possession so that is something we can look at going forward, to create more chances at the other end.

“We did get better as the game went on, but if I’m being honest, I’d say a draw was a fair result.”