“That should’ve been three points on the board for us,” said James Bracken following the match. “I’ll take a certain amount of responsibility for it because we’ve changed things and it didn’t turn out to be a positive first half from us.
“I’ve had words at half time because I wasn’t happy so needed to correct it and improve.
“Second half, we’ve dominated the game, had them rattled the whole half and should’ve won the match. Without a shadow of a doubt, we should’ve won that. We had two or three very good opportunities – the header at the back post being one.
“We said this would be a tough learning curve and it has been. The first half against Margate on the opening day was a real eye-opener. The second game we were in it for large spells and until they scored the third, we could’ve taken something from the evening.
“This game, we started slowly but not capitulated. We’ve kept in the game until half time and bossed it after that. We need to put 90 minutes together now. This is where the boys need to show their maturity that this level requires. The discipline, the focus, because these games are intense from the first minute to the last. Whereas last season we could play well for 45 minutes and win, this year we’ll give ourselves a lot to do if we don’t start right.
“First 45 minutes will be our target to improve. We know we only get better as games go on. That’s been the case since I’ve been here. Our fitness levels and energy is good and our heart and desire for the win can never be questioned.
“We’ve had three different goalkeepers for three different games but it’s been a lot worse than that.
“I signed a keeper on Tuesday who came in and done a job for us against Folkestone. I signed another on the same day to play against Merstham. Unfortunately he phoned me Thursday night informing me he’d cut his head open and had 14 stitches from a training injury.
“I managed to get Bradley Comins, who I know from my days at Sutton who’s done a really good job. The boy keeps his shirt… he was fantastic. He looked assured. I’m really pleased with him.
“But I’ve never known anything like it regarding the goalkeeping situation. I’ve never had a more stressful week in management… or in life! We’ve signed seven goalkeepers and today, I had the seventh one available with six out. You tell me when that’s ever happened anywhere, ever. Because I’ve never heard of it. Six goalkeepers, all signed… all out.
“When they’re all back fit, I’ll have plenty of competition for places. At the minute, it’s a case of just getting one out there which we’ve done.
"I’m pleased with a few of the boys to be honest. Warren Mfula gets a mention. He’s a lad that’s come in and he’s worked his socks off. He’s an absolute gem. He leads the line, works for 90 minutes for the whole team. But there’s a few who I could mention individually today.
"Now we need to focus on the two cup games over the next week and we turn in two good performances and get two wins under our belt, putting ourselves in the next round of these competitions and go into the Kingstonian game with the confidence that we can play at this level and give it a proper good crack."
“I’ve had words at half time because I wasn’t happy so needed to correct it and improve.
“Second half, we’ve dominated the game, had them rattled the whole half and should’ve won the match. Without a shadow of a doubt, we should’ve won that. We had two or three very good opportunities – the header at the back post being one.
“We said this would be a tough learning curve and it has been. The first half against Margate on the opening day was a real eye-opener. The second game we were in it for large spells and until they scored the third, we could’ve taken something from the evening.
“This game, we started slowly but not capitulated. We’ve kept in the game until half time and bossed it after that. We need to put 90 minutes together now. This is where the boys need to show their maturity that this level requires. The discipline, the focus, because these games are intense from the first minute to the last. Whereas last season we could play well for 45 minutes and win, this year we’ll give ourselves a lot to do if we don’t start right.
“First 45 minutes will be our target to improve. We know we only get better as games go on. That’s been the case since I’ve been here. Our fitness levels and energy is good and our heart and desire for the win can never be questioned.
“We’ve had three different goalkeepers for three different games but it’s been a lot worse than that.
“I signed a keeper on Tuesday who came in and done a job for us against Folkestone. I signed another on the same day to play against Merstham. Unfortunately he phoned me Thursday night informing me he’d cut his head open and had 14 stitches from a training injury.
“I managed to get Bradley Comins, who I know from my days at Sutton who’s done a really good job. The boy keeps his shirt… he was fantastic. He looked assured. I’m really pleased with him.
“But I’ve never known anything like it regarding the goalkeeping situation. I’ve never had a more stressful week in management… or in life! We’ve signed seven goalkeepers and today, I had the seventh one available with six out. You tell me when that’s ever happened anywhere, ever. Because I’ve never heard of it. Six goalkeepers, all signed… all out.
“When they’re all back fit, I’ll have plenty of competition for places. At the minute, it’s a case of just getting one out there which we’ve done.
"I’m pleased with a few of the boys to be honest. Warren Mfula gets a mention. He’s a lad that’s come in and he’s worked his socks off. He’s an absolute gem. He leads the line, works for 90 minutes for the whole team. But there’s a few who I could mention individually today.
"Now we need to focus on the two cup games over the next week and we turn in two good performances and get two wins under our belt, putting ourselves in the next round of these competitions and go into the Kingstonian game with the confidence that we can play at this level and give it a proper good crack."
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