BRIAN Stock rued two “glorious” missed chances as his Weymouth side lost 1-0 at Boreham Wood in the Vanarama National League.
Stock’s Terras were well in the game up until the 72nd minute, when Kabongo Tshimanga’s missile flew in off the bar past Ethan Ross.
Before then, Weymouth missed golden opportunities through Andy Dallas and Sean Shields, before the latter had a lob tipped onto the woodwork.
Weymouth could not create a telling chance in the closing stages as they suffered back-to-back losses in the league, keeping them in 21st.
Post-match, Stock told Echosport: “We’ve missed a couple of glorious chances to go into the lead.
“I can’t fault Andy’s effort and desire to get into that situation in the first place, but I’m sure he’ll be disappointed he’s not scored.
“Even on the follow-up we’ve not tucked that away as well.
“Obviously, goals change games and although we came in at half-time 0-0 I felt we were slightly below the standards we’ve set recently.
“They’ve set these standards and I’m trying to keep them as high as I can. I let them know and second half the game slipped us by.
“As the game went on, we got a little too detached and expansive. One or two gaps started appearing.
“Again, we had chances to score or put crosses in the box. I felt we were a little bit off it in the second half.
“Boreham Wood will be delighted because there wasn’t a lot in the game.
“I felt quite comfortable that we weren’t going to concede because I thought we defended the box very well. It just wasn’t to be.”
Stock admitted Weymouth had been caught “off guard” by Tshimanga’s winner.
He said: “I can’t fault the players, we’ve defended really well.
“Dominic (Revan) and Jacob (Mensah) defended well but it’s just caught us off guard with the ball over the top.
“Although Dom was close to winning the race and getting a block in, the lad’s got his shot off just before and it’s hit the bar and gone in, which is a good finish from his point of view.”
Stock’s agony at the missed chances was heightened as he stressed the importance of scoring first.
“I think the game would’ve opened up perfectly for us on a very good pitch, which would’ve suited our style,” he said.
“I think we went a little too direct, I’ve said that to the players. I want us to show more composure on the ball and find a pass, try and switch the play more.
“At times, we went long when we haven’t got the personnel to win the first contact.
“It became a second-ball contact game. We’re a team that has to play from a compact shape and at times we just came away from that compared to the last three games.”
Stock hinted Weymouth’s drift in shape was perhaps down to fatigue, with Calvin Brooks benched for Brennan Camp and Josh McQuoid hobbling off with another hamstring issue in the 43rd minute.
On skipper McQuoid, he added: “Josh starting was hopefully a decision I won’t rue because he’s had to come off.
“I had a chat with Josh before the game and he felt fine. He was one that I was considering giving a rest.
“Maybe in hindsight I should’ve gone with my gut instinct, but when you’ve got an important player like Josh – who’s our top scorer, a major threat and a leader – I went with the fact he felt OK.
“Hopefully it’s just a precautionary one. I don’t think it’s too serious, so we’ll get him assessed. I don’t think it’s going to be a long-term one.”
