Cardinale Stadium; Seaside, California
Saturday, July 23, 2022
Sporting Director & Head Coach Frank Yallop
On being in control throughout the match:
“I think we managed the game well, we limited their chances. I think we could have scored more tonight, which was a good feeling as well. Even before the red card I thought the guys managed the game well, defended great as a unit, and were really good on the break. We could have scored a couple more to really seal the game off, but that second goal really helped.”
On the offensive scheme after falling down a man:
“I was able to speak with them at halftime. When the game is going on, it’s very difficult to get any information to the guys. So at halftime we talked about being a solid block. We played a 4-4-1, which is what we normally do. From that, I told them we’re going to get chances. We’re going to break on them because they are losing and they’re going to try to take chances to go forward on us, but once we win that ball we have to try to break on them and score that second goal. I don’t think you can write a better script, to be honest, with what happened in the whole game. We ended up winning 2-0 and we managed to get Dallas [Jaye] on the field at the end. I think it was a great night for everybody involved at the club and I’m just really proud of the players and the effort they put in.”
On Adrian [Rebollar]’s performance:
“He’s one of those players who when the game starts to open up, it really suits him because he’s a runner. When it’s all compact and tight, it’s a little more difficult for him, but once the game gets a bit stretched and he can open his legs up and run, he’s very quick with the ball. He’s fast, he tackles well, and I think he’s doing great. I’m really happy with Adrian [Rebollar] and may it continue. I feel a little bit sorry for Walmer [Martinez]. He’s a little bit tender in his hamstring, but he felt fine before the game and was rested, so I feel sorry for him. But overall, I’m really happy with the guys that played. I’m very pleased with the result and very happy for the fans that saw a great performance from their team.”
On Simon [Dawkins] scoring his first goal for the club and Sam [Gleadle] scoring on his return from injury:
“If you look at the first goal, I haven’t seen it back on tape yet, but it’s one of the better goals we’ve scored. The combination play, Simon [Dawkins] making a great run, and a great ball by Adrian [Rebollar] that leads to a terrific header. Then Sammy Gleadle came back into the fold. He’s been out for a while with his knee injury, but he’s trained very well over the last couple weeks. I’m real happy to have these guys back. They’re very good and dangerous players and I’m looking forward to the game next weekend now.”
Forward Simon Dawkins
On the match:
“It was a good result for us, we needed it. Every single player did brilliantly well. Going down a man as well was very difficult for us, but we gathered ourselves at halftime and it was a brilliant performance from all of us. It’s good to get the three points.”
On controlling the match:
“When you get games like that, when everything’s clicking, it breeds confidence and obviously we’ve needed that this season. To get three points at home is very important for us obviously, because we want that playoff push. We have to take that confidence and bring it into the next game as well, but we’re happy with tonight.”
On going a man down and still creating opportunities:
“Obviously when you go a man down, it’s very difficult. There’s no space for us to exploit. We had to find a way, dig deep and defend. Then once we went into halftime, we sat down and discussed how we were going to counterattack. Tonight was brilliant from the boys, we’re very happy. It was great to send Dallas [Jaye] off as well. Tonight was fantastic for us.”
On defense giving confidence to the offense:
“We had a clean sheet last weekend and said to ourselves all week, we can get another one. We’re capable of scoring and I thought Gleadle did well coming on. As did Adrian [Rebollar], and Walmer [Martinez] did well when he was on as well, so we have attacking options and we always know we can score. It was brilliant from the boys again. I’m delighted with the win.”
On scoring his first goal for the club:
“Honestly, I don’t remember much of it. The ball was coming into the box, and I thought, let me get my head to it and direct it toward the goal. I’m really happy to get on the scoresheet. It’s been an up and down season for me, in terms of being on the field, and I think finally now I’m getting my fitness back. I want to get to one hundred percent.”
Midfielder Mobi Fehr
On winning at home:
“It’s a huge win having not won at home for the past three or four games. We definitely had a tough game tonight; it feels good to win at home.”
On playing with a man down:
“It sucks to lose a man in the first half, but we were up one-nil, so we just had to close the game out.”
On Monterey Bay’s dominant defense:
“I believe it’s three games that we haven’t conceded now. We’re finally getting our defensive unit right, so it’s looking good for our upcoming games.”
On creating opportunities while a man down:
“We knew coming into the second half, we’re going to drop a little bit, do a low block. But we have fast guys up front, so our game plan was to counterattack as fast as we can, and it ended with a goal. Tonight was a great team effort.”
