AARON Roberts reckons Evesham United may have to suppress their attacking instincts during the muck and bullets of the winter months.
The Robins initially laboured in soggy conditions during a 2-2 draw with Highworth Town in Southern League Division One South on Saturday.
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REPORT & PLAYER RATINGS | Evesham United 2 Highworth Town 2
United’s swashbuckling style returned after half-time but despite coming back from behind to lead, Jacob Davidge’s penalty meant they had to make do with a point.
Carl Abbott’s men have got themselves in the thick of the play-off pack through an open and expansive style but Roberts believes tweaks may be required as conditions deteriorate.
“On the whole our performance was not where it needed to be,” said Roberts.
“The pitches are changing and we have to change our philosophy sometimes and play the kind of football we are not used to.
“We have been playing nice stuff on the floor but in fairness, Highworth did that so there was no excuse when it comes to the pitch.
“We were much the better side in the second half but they had half chances in amongst ours and I think the draw was fair in the end.
“You can’t go out to score four and concede three – you might end up there or thereabouts but you’re not going win things.
“The goal we conceded came from a half chance but it was a half chance that we allowed them to have, we could not have done anything about the penalty.
“I think with the way pitches are changing the style of football is going to have to be mixed up a lot throughout the season.”
Roberts almost salvaged victory in added time but hit the post from close range in a busy box, the right-back ruing that and the penalty awarded for handball against Brad Maslen-Jones which led to Town’s leveller 15 minutes from time.
“The lads were ripping it out of me in the dressing room,” admitted Roberts.
“It was one of those where there were too many bodies so I tried to lift it rather than strike it because it was pretty congested.
“We had already done similar earlier in the game and when your luck is not in, it is not in.”
On the spot-kick, Roberts said: “I don’t like to make excuses and thought the referee (Andy Genders) had a good game overall but there was a penalty shout earlier that he did not give.
“That one was more clear-cut than the one they got and it makes me wonder whether that was in his mind.
“His arm was down by his side and he was not even facing the ball but the rules are changing all the time, you don’t know what’s going on and anything can be given.”
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