Cooper says Glovers need to be more clinical

The newly-promoted Glovers more than held their own during a goalless first half at Hush Park, but were undone just past the hour mark when United’s Jack Hunter produced a clinical finish past Ollie Wright.

Post-game, Cooper reflected on his side’s seasonal opener, saying: “I thought there was nothing in the game, a real tight game. I thought we dominated the ball for large parts without really offering too much in and around their goal.

“If I’m being honest, we didn't spark in the final third of the pitch. Now, you could say well we need to whack the ball quicker forward, but they've got eight centre-halves on the pitch at the end and it's pointless us booting the ball up there.

“Our best moments came when we worked the ball through our little nippy players that we put on. We had our chances, we even missed an open goal at the end.  You’re not going to get any better chances than that in any game of football, so we have to score.”

With Braintree Town away next up for the Glovers, Cooper is hoping his side learn from their experiences at the weekend and make the most of opportunities afforded to them.

“In the last third we didn't produce today we had chances in and around the box to produce a bit of quality,” he added. “When you've got young, Frank, Jav, Pearson, Sonny, Brett, Greenslade, Dylan Morgan you expect them that's they're in the team to produce that bit of quality, like their guy did.

“He got one sniff and he's put it in the corner and we didn't - that was the difference between the two teams.”

‍