Town face tough few days (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Town face tough few days

LIFE doesn't get any easier for Stratford Town manager Lennie Derby who watched his side lose for the sixth time in nine matches on Tuesday night, writes Mervyn Collins.

The Masons Road men face a daunting FA Cup first qualifying round trip to Southern League Sutton Coldfield Town on Saturday ahead of a visit from Travel Factory Alliance leaders Westfields on Tuesday evening.

Derby was understandably angry at his side's latest setback at Loughborough Dyna-mo with his main criticism the commitment of the players.

"What's said in the dressing room stays there but I obviously wasn't happy with the display and the players were made aware of that," the Town boss revealed.

"I still think the players are good enough to turn things round but they're not working hard enough and that's not being fair to the club. They've all had their chance now and other players will be brought in because we've got to turn things round quickly."

Derby admits that it will be difficult to recruit before this weekend when Ashley Pringle will join fellow defender Nigel Niblett on the sidelines after injuring ankle ligaments in midweek.

Pringle was forced out of the action after just two minutes but at least it gave youth team defender Danny Hicks the chance to impress and his efforts look likely to earn him a start at Coles Lane.

Goals in the 20th and 24th minutes gave Stratford a huge mountain to climb and all they could muster in the first half was a Paddy Connelly shot that was easily saved and Scott Darroch's effort that went for a throw-in!

The interval ear-bashing didn't go unheeded as Town improved after the restart and only a last-ditch intervention prevented Darroch getting on the end of Connelly's 62nd minute centre.

That came after the striker had shot weakly at the keeper and then over the top, while Connelly's 25-yard strike was saved by the home goalkeeper.

The points were sealed, however, in the final minute from a breakaway before Stratford earned a deserved consolation from the penalty spot when Darroch converted after being hauled down in the penalty area.