THORNABY DUBLINERS' MIDFIELDER CHARLIE RABY REVIEWS HIS TEAM'S 2-1 DEFEAT AT STAITHES AFC ON SATURDAY...

Thanks to Charlie Raby, the Thornaby Dubliners midfielder for taking time out to report on a tough 2-1 defeat at Staithes AFC on Saturday...

"It really was a strange game! We are obviously very frustrated leaving Staithes with nothing to show for our efforts.

I thought we weathered the first-half quite well, they had a lot of the ball and used their wide players well. We struggled to get to grips with their formation and gave the ball away poorly most of the time we had it, although they didn't really look like scoring.

We had a couple of chances from set-pieces and one when Arran Brookbanks should have done better...

In the second-half, I think for the first 15 minutes we really controlled the game and kept possession a little better. We should have gone 0-1 ahead when the 'keeper made one save from Arran Brookbanks and then a great save from me.

We had started to get in behind Staithes and made the transition from defence to attack well but then it was frustrating for me when I was replaced because I felt I was having a good spell.

However, within minutes of the change, we went 0-1 ahead. I thought that we would see the game out, as we hadn't really looked troubled too much during the second period but there was always the risk that they might catch us out with pace and quality going forward, like when one effort struck our crossbar.

One of the Staithes players actually said that the referee might as well blow the final whistle, clearly showing how long must have remained with us still 0-1 up!

The first goal was disappointing to concede because we had dealt with long throws all afternoon and conceding one was a shame. I think when we gave the ball away straight after kicking off from conceding, only one thing was going to happen wasn't it? The ball seemed to be hanging around our 18 yard box for about as long as the referee had said was being added on! 

Connor Hood got a bit lucky because I've never seen him head a ball and he only goes and plays a one-two with the crossbar with his header and tapped in the rebound.

Overall it was a hard one to take, especially with the injury to Craig Linsil before the break who is having to be operated on this week. Also to be 0-1 up with minutes to go and come away with nothing is frustrating.

We haven't had an easy start to the season and I think we'd have taken 6 points from 9 when we saw our fixtures!"

Charlie Raby, midfielder, Thornaby Dubliners...