Rock reflects on 4-2 defeat to Lisburn Distillery

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Q - Okay Robbie, it's a 4-2 loss against Lisburn Distillery here at Crystal Park in the Premier Intermediate League. In a game where we clearly demonstrated our strengths and how we can execute our game plan, was failing to execute it over 90 minutes our downfall today?

A - Yes, in one word. We started the game very well. I think it's the first time since when we played Lisbon Distillery in the Cup game, I think it was my second game, we actually led in the game.

So it's been a long time. And I think, yeah, I think that would be a very fair assumption of the game that we carried out our game plan in parts and probably in parts when we've turned off, we've been punished by some good finishes on their behalf.

Q - Lisburn Distillery had won three out of their last five going into today's game. Can you share what your expectations were going into the game and your thought process in setting out today's team?

A - We always want to win. We always want to win every game, so I'll always set up to win every game. I'll try with the coaching team, I'll try and get the game plan right for that. In selection of the team, I think it's actually been the first time I've been able to name the same starting XI this season. It was just a couple of little adjustments with Matty dropping into a deeper role and having Ethan Souza playing the 10. But as far as I can remember, that's the first time that I've named the same starting XI.

Q - We got off to a flying start in the first half. In the first five minutes, we managed to work the ball up the pitch at speed and into Ethan Sousa, who played a beautifully cushioned ball into Ebuka Kwelele, who finished with real composure. Unfortunately, we couldn't build on our start, conceding three times in the first half. What did you make of the first half?

A - Yeah, great start. Like you said, for the goal, great build-up play from the boys. It's something we've been working on the last few weeks and it was nice to see it come out. Ethan Sousa's playing in the 10. He just has that kind of ability where he can get on, he can pick out a pass. It's a great run by Buka and it's a great finish. I think, if I'm honest with you, the players on the pitch didn't know how to react about going ahead.

And that's not a criticism of them. It's just we haven't been in that position enough this year. We probably set off a little too much. Again, just down to probably a little bit of naivety, a little bit of we don't want to get caught out straight away. But today, conceding the first goal, then it goes 2-1. You're kind of like, right, if we can get the half-time at 2-1, we can still make a couple of chances. We were getting a little bit turned there. And then I think they've scored that third goal in the 44th minute. And it's a tough time to concede a goal.

But, you know, we went in and we just kind of said, right, what can we do? And go back out on the pitch. And it was a positive reaction in the second half, from the boys, but we conceded, I think it was four minutes into the second half and that kind of killed it down a little bit.

Q - Despite a slow start to our second half as well, we built into the game, imposing ourselves in the final 30 minutes and scored in the process. What did you think of the way we came back into the game and what can we take from today's game overall?

A - Yeah, character. What the guys done there, the shot, great character, great heart. Like, Anyone will tell you that's a football person. It's tough when you're torn up and you're playing games like this or you're having the season we have and we go out and it's defeat after defeat after defeat. But these guys are torn up. They play all the time, give their hearts the whole time.

We'll never make excuses for one another. We're always encouraging each other and then it's just about trying to build on that now. Positives going forward, if we can just eliminate individual errors and it's not just for goals or things for me there's individual errors in the press probably went to pass the line of pass stuff like that it's just about sharpening up on them getting rid of little bits of that getting a little bit more cuter on the ball a little bit more positive and you know we can definitely get a positive result another positive result before the end of the season definitely

Q - There were a number of strong performances today from Rory O'Connor, Sean McCaul, Piotr Slawinski made a few great saves. But Matthew McLachlan's performance stands out. Matty was very effective on the ball, regularly turning into space and moving the ball unsuccessfully. And of course, he was man of the match today as well. What did you think of Matty's performance today?

A - Matty was great. I thought...for a player that you want to get on the ball he's constantly scanning from watching him, he's probably two steps ahead of what he's going to do next, he already knows what he's going to do next where he's going to go next before he gets on the ball he's a huge talent he's so much that he can grow into.

To be able to do that at such a young age, to read the game like that and be positive on the ball some players will get on the ball and don't turn into a good position but don't actually drive with it Matty just loves getting on the ball turning, driving with the ball knows when to pass knows when to move or save excellent performance all around for Matty, he was just top draw today

Q - Final question for me building into next week's big game at the R Kings competition stadium where we take on Portstewart any thoughts leading into that game?

A - Just again, we'll go analyse the game. We'll go over Tuesday, come up with a game plan for on a Thursday and then we'll go into Saturday again. If we can just bring how we played today, the heart and desire, moving the ball forward with a good purpose and just eliminate a couple of the individual errors that we made today, we can definitely go and give ourselves a good account in the game.