Strevens 'gutted' to give away late spot-kick

Aug 31 2010 By Greg Burns

Ben Strevens

BEN Strevens said Saturday was one of his worst days in football after missing an open goal and giving away a late penalty against Northampton.

The striker raced into the box to connect with a Scott Rendell cross in the second-half at Sixfields only to send the ball wide from six yards out with the goal gaping.

His miserable afternoon was completed on 84 minutes when he brought down Andy Holt to allow Kevin Thornton to earn the Cobblers a point from the spot.

The 30-year-old was big enough to talk about his turbulent game after the final whistle and vowed to make amends the next time he takes to the field.

He said: ""I don't think you can have a worse day in football. The guy has missed a header and I have gone to clear the ball and tried to pull out at the last minute.

"He has gone down quite easily but, in all honesty, I would probably have done the same thing.

"I am gutted. To be the lad who gave away the penalty is quite tough but I just have to try and put it right next weekend."

Strevens said his six-yard miss was an omen that the footballing God's were not on his side at the weekend.

"Scotty had to fizz it in to get it through the gap and I was running as fast as I can," he said. "I should have known then, when the ball flew off me and flew wide, that it wouldn't be my day and should have told the gaffer to take me off."

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