'I should have done better': Michael Smith reflects on missed chance for Mansfield Town against Bradford City
Michael Smith had a chance to score for Mansfield Town early on against Bradford City, before he saw a goal disallowed in the second half.
The striker, who signed for Stags over the summer to bolster Nigel Clough’s attack, feels he ‘should have done better’ with his attempt against Bantams early on.
Smith has looked a real handful for defenders since his arrival at the club, especially when using his stature to his advantage. His first goal came against Peterborough United and he’s come close beyond that but he feels he could have done more to hit the back of the net at Valley Parade.
Reflecting on the 1-0 defeat to Bradford, Smith told the media in his midweek press conference: “It was a tough game, Bradford is always a tough place to go. I felt we did deserve something from the game, especially in the second half. We had them penned in a little bit and it’s a tough one to take.
“I had a header early on. I pride myself on goals in and around the box so I probably should have done a lot better. Looking back it was probably the best chance we had in the game, other than the disallowed goal.”
Smith said he watched the overturned goal in question back after the match and admitted he ‘could see why’ it wasn’t given. However, the frustrations lingered after the referee’s delay to rule it out and award a free-kick to Bradford.
Nigel Clough said directly after the match that had Smith’s goal stood, Stags could well have come away with at least a point, if not gone on to score the winner.
“It’s a tough one to take because the game was so tight. It’s fine margins in football and unfortunately that one didn’t go our way,” Smith said.