Michael Hatcher vs OVF

Hatcher: “I think this was a really good growing point for us.”

After Thursday’s hard-fought, scoreless tie against OVF Alliance, we spoke with Lane United FC Head Coach John Galas, defender Michael Hatcher, and forward Duncan McGuire about the match.

John Galas

Some positives from the match…

“Certainly a shutout is always a positive. I don’t think we gave up a lot of big chances to them at all. It started from the front, all the way to the back. I thought we defended exceptionally well.”

On why the team couldn’t score…

“Sometimes it happens. There were good saves from their keeper, we had a couple we could’ve taken maybe a little bit better. Robin (Terry) certainly had a great look at the end, sometimes that’s football, you know?”

Michael Hatcher looks upfield vs OVF. (Peter Bellerby/NW Sports Pics)

Michael Hatcher

On another dominating defensive performance…

“We have a lot of chemistry. Me, Mo (Modou Sowe), Robby (Robin Terry), and Brian (Torre) just know each other so well and we can move and cover everything we really need to. That’s probably one of our biggest strengths is just knowing each other. I know if Mo steps, I can cover him, and if I step, Mo can cover. We are just so in touch with each other.”

Takeaways leading into July 2 match in Oly Town FC

“Honestly this was a really good growing point for us. I think overall we had a really good performance, just couldn’t find the back of the net.”

Duncan McGuire powers a header towards goal vs OVF. (Barbara Minkler)

Duncan McGuire

Describe the shot that went off the left-post and nearly was the difference…

“I saw a lot of space in the back side after the clearance. Edo (Edoardo Merci) got his head up,  we kind of locked eyes, and I knew he’d put it where it needed to be. Luckily it came to my foot, sadly it just wasn’t my day. We just couldn’t finish our chances today.”

On missed opportunities hurting the team…

“Time after time, missed opportunity after missed opportunity, they start to weigh on you and the pain of missing them starts to get heavier and heavier and at the end, you look back at it and say you could’ve done this or that better. At the end of the day though, you have to finish your chances to win games.”