Greg Taylor gave a frank assessment of the U’s FA Cup defeat to Guiseley A.F.C, as United “left themselves too much to do” against the Lions.
Despite a late fight back at Nethermoor Park, the U’s centre back was honest in explaining the damage had already been as they disappointingly bowed out of the competition.
He said: “We’re gutted with the result and it was a case that we left ourselves far too much to do and then we were too late in doing it.
“Going into the game, we gave Guiseley our respect and knew they were going to be a tough opposition which they proved. Fair play to them, they did a job today.
“It’s easy to say afterwards that we created the chances, especially in the first half but we didn’t take them. They hit a great strike from outside of the box, and they had a cross that went in so our chances then count for nothing from that first half.
“As I say you can only really talk about the chances we had late in the match too if you end up sticking them in the back of the net. They did that well earlier in the game and we didn’t.
“Although we were obviously disappointed going in at 2-0 it was certainly still achievable to get ourselves back into the game, but we left ourselves with a lot to do after the quick fire goals after half time. We tried to stick at it but ran out of time.”
The defender admits it’s a result and an outcome that stings for all involved and one that must be used as a key learning point to ensure the recovery as a team is quick.
“That is a part of the competition that you unfortunately have to face. You experience your high moments from the big games and on the flip side of it you can go out in the first round. It’s certainly not a game that I personally will be happy to take as a good memory with me. It hurts to lose like that.
“Now it’s a mixed dressing room in terms of how different people react, but ultimately we are all gutted. Things have to be said to each other in the dressing room to be able to push it aside and refocus.
“It’s big a learning curve, particularly for the younger players whilst some of the senior boys may have experienced it before. You must learn so you can work hard on making sure it doesn’t happen too many times again.
“Unfortunately though it has happened, so all we can do now is move forward on to the next game on Tuesday.”