Wilkinson pleased to stop the rot as Hemel Hempstead draw in cracker

Hemel celebrate Saleem Akanbi's goal on Monday. Photo: Jemma Sear/HHTFC.Hemel celebrate Saleem Akanbi's goal on Monday. Photo: Jemma Sear/HHTFC.
Hemel celebrate Saleem Akanbi's goal on Monday. Photo: Jemma Sear/HHTFC.
​Hemel Hempstead Town boss Bobby Wilkinson was in positive mood after his side ended a run of three straight defeats on Monday night.

Hemel were beaten 3-0 at Chippenham Town on Saturday, but they then stopped the rot with a 2-2 draw at home to Chelmsford City on Monday, Saleem Akanbi scoring early on his home debut then Joe Iaciofano equalising with 20 minutes left after Chelmsford had turned things around.

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And speaking to the club’s media after the game, Wilkinson was pleased to have taken a point from what he thought was a thrilling game.

He said: “What a game of non-league football that was. Really entertaining – I hope their manager gives us some praise after that. I’ll give them some praise as they’re a really good side but tonight was all about my players from the goalkeeper right through the defence, the midfielders and the forwards, as well as those that came off the bench.

"I had to make some hard decisions today because I felt in the last three games we weren’t up to the standards I expect on the pitch, despite standards off the pitch being very good.

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"We had a heart-to-heart meeting on Saturday and there are some real leaders in that dressing room. All we wanted tonight was some togetherness, effort and spirit – I didn’t even care about the result, I just wanted to see the team back to how they were in the first ten games when we were unbeaten and top of the league.

"I just had to remind them how good they are. There were nearly 900 in here tonight and they’ve gone home having seen a great game of non-league football.”

Hemel now prepare to visit Maidstone United on Saturday, who lay 16th in the table going into the midweek fixtures.

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Wilkinson said: “On Saturday, if we don’t win then I want that spirit, that effort and that passion – I’ve got a good team here full of good footballers that are moving the ball around really well at the moment.”

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