Cougars make it three in a row

1:54pm Thursday 17th July 2008

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The Keighley Cougars overcame a 20-0 deficit in the first half to come back and beat Gateshead, one of the top teams in National League Two, on Sunday.

The Cougars' 32-24 victory was their third on the bounce and kept them within touching distance of the league leaders.

Cougars' head coach Barry Eaton said: "In the first half we had no field position, none of the ball and were frustrated that we were penalised out of the game. It all left us with too much to do and we eventually cracked."

But after going into half-time 20-6 down, Eaton said of his side's second half performance: "We played well in all phases of the game and our play forced Gateshead into making some wrong decisions.

"We controlled the game right until the hooter went. I was really proud of my players.

"They were staring down the barrel but came back in style. The players knew they had to fix one or two things and then not worry about things (decisions) that were out of their control.

"You have to give the boys credit for their attitude and work ethic. Not many people would have given us a chance to win that game."

But Eaton also emphasised that going into this Sunday's game at Swinton, his squad need to continue playing at their highest level with just seven matches to play in the league campaign.

"We're entering the most important phase of the season. We've got to keep our feet firmly on the ground. It would be a massive letdown if we didn't back up last Sunday's performance with a win.

"Without sounding overconfident, it's game we're capable of winning. It's important we take the points this week because the week after we play Oldham away and the week after that we're at home to Doncaster."

Eaton said that Swinton are coming off two losses and will be keen to get back so they can secure one of the play-off places on offer.

The coach said that Swinton have been one of the Cougars' bogey sides over the years.

"We haven't won at Swinton in the three years I've been here."

But he added that if his squad play up to their potential they should win.

Eaton will welcome back prop Simon Bissell into the team this Sunday. He missed out with a strained knee last week.

However Eaton will be without Mick Fogerty on Sunday. The centre had a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday to contest his sending off in the Rochdale game. He was given a two-match ban.