'˜From euphoria to devastation' for Tudors boss Brennan as Bath strike late

Hemel Hempstead Town manager Dean Brennan was left '˜devastated' after watching his side concede a 94th minute equaliser against Bath City this afternoon.
Hemel manager Dean Brennan watches on. Picture (c) Terry RickeardHemel manager Dean Brennan watches on. Picture (c) Terry Rickeard
Hemel manager Dean Brennan watches on. Picture (c) Terry Rickeard

Hemel were a matter of seconds away from recording a 1-0 win and taking all three points, but Bath hit back deep into stoppage time through Dan Bowman to earn a share of the spoils.

It was a disappointing blow for Hemel, and a stark contrast to the emotions of last week when goalkeeper Jamie Butler struck late in the game to rescue a point against Sutton United.

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“Last weekend it was euphoria and this weekend it’s devastation,” said Brennan. “That’s been the story of our season really.

“I thought we played really well in the first half and should have been further ahead. We should have been out of sight at half-time, but we weren’t.

“Credit to Bath because they kept going and made a good tactical substitution at half-time which got them back into the game. We started to lost confidence and they started to gain it.”

Hemel have suffered a hatful of injury time setbacks this season, and an inability to see games out has cost them dearly in their quest for a playoff place.

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“We said at half-time that we have got to keep a clean sheet no matter what,” Brennan continued. “If we had to defend deep, then we had to defend deep and defend the goal.

“But I actually thought we defended too deep for their goal when the ball came back into the box. There were a couple of ricochets and then it’s eventually found its way to one of their lads who has buried it.

“I thought we defended well up until the last 10 minutes when Buttsy (Jamie Butler) had two saves to make, but they are a good side and they keep going.”

Brennan added: “I thought we should have had a penalty in both the first and second half, and I don’t think the refereeing decisions went our way.”

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