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Wednesday, 10th March 2010

Cranton critical of Racing, while there's further frustration for Shearsby

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Published Date: 04 February 2010
Manager Ryan Cranton described the 5-0 home defeat by Walsall Wood as "the worst performance since I've been in charge".
The loss completed a miserable week for the club, which has been forced to disband its reserve side due to a lack of funds.

Walsall Wood had already gone close before a scramble in the box produced the opening goal for Ian Purvey in the fifth minu
te.

After being on the back foot for the opening 20 minutes, Racing Club fought their way back into the game, but despite forcing several corners they failed to test Wood keeper Neil Reeves.

On the stroke of half-time, Racing were given a mountain to climb when Rob Hadland produced a goal out of nothing for the visitors.

Hadland beat three men near to the half-way line before cutting inside and unleashing a shot which left Racing keeper Paul Hawkins rooted to the spot.

Any hopes the home side had of getting back into the game were quickly extinguished after the break with Walsall Wood doubling their advantage inside nine minutes.

Purvey produced a neat finish after Racing failed to deal with a cross into the box before Tangent Nghishimbwa pounced on a Matt Compton mistake to make it 4-0 in the 54th minute.

Purvey completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 88th minute.

"A few of the players are not showing they are capable of playing at this level," said Cranton. "It was the worst performance since I've been in charge.

"We had a chat in the changing room after the game and I asked each player what they thought the problems were and we got a few things out in the open.

"But we're still looking to bring players in and I believe we're only four or five quality players from making a massive difference."
Racing Club travel to Heath Hayes tomorrow (3pm).

Saints manager Barry Shearsby was far from happy with the decision to postpone last Saturday's Midland Combination Premier match against Pelsall Villa due to a frozen pitch.

He said: "A local referee was called in mid-morning and it was agreed to call the match off. When I arrived an hour before the scheduled kick-off time, the pitch was playable and other sides in the area got their fixtures on. In this league, teams don't have to travel too far and, in my view, decisions should always be left as late as possible."

In all, six matches were called off in the league due to bad weather but, in those that did take place, leaders Heather St John's were surprisingly held to a draw at home by Pershore Town, allowing second-placed Pilkington XXX to close the gap by winning at Brocton.

Another postponement was the last thing that Shearsby needed as his side has only played two competitive matches since Boxing Day.

Both were lost, with a comprehensive league defeat by title favourites Heath Hayes being followed by a quarter-final exit from the Birmingham County Midweek Floodlit Cup.

Saints welcome Continental Star to Banbury Road tomorrow (3pm).

Star won the return fixture by the odd goal in seven back in September and Shearsby knows his side will have to keep the visitors' free-scoring attack in check if they are to close the gap on the league leaders.

"We really needed to play last Saturday to build on the improved effort at Bartley Green," said Shearsby.

"Although we lost again, I couldn't fault the players for effort. They just lack confidence at the moment and the only way that they will get it back is to play and win."

Shearsby should have a near-full squad to choose from tomorrow for the first time in weeks.

"Hopefully, we will have Jamie Coleman back and Ryan Parisi is fit to play and would have started last weekend. Of the other players, Stef Jones is nearing full fitness and Chris Hanrahan is hoping his work commitments will ease to be available for selection."



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  • Last Updated: 04 February 2010 1:25 PM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Leamington Spa
 
 
 


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