Non-league: New Hednesford Town boss hits out at players after debut thrashing
New boss Kelvin Davis criticised the effort of Hednesford Town’s players after his first match in charge ended in a sobering 5-0 defeat at struggling Hyde.
The Pitmen, who began the day level on points with Hebburn at the top of the Northern League, were put to the sword in Greater Manchester as they suffered comfortably their heaviest loss of the season.
A stunned Davis, who replaced the axed Gavin Hurren last week, acknowledged his team had been “beaten in every department” by their relegation-threatened hosts.
"The word shame does spring to mind, to be honest. It was a tough afternoon, no doubt about that,” he said.
"The bottom line is that if you don't make tackles, run, and have that edge to want to win games of football, you're going to struggle.
"That's at any level, in any country and any league. If you don't do the fundamentals of the game then you'll lose, and we lost today by a country mile. It's disappointing, frustrating.
"We know that when you put a Hednesford shirt on, there's a level of performance and an attitude that you have to show. That wasn't there today, to a man.”
Rushall Olympic moved six points clear of the drop zone with a 0-0 draw at home to Bamber Bridge.
Osaze Okuonghae had the best chance to win it for the Pics but could not get his effort on target.
Furious boss Russ Penn declared a “terrible day” after Halesowen Town were beaten 3-0 at Needham Market to lose ground in the Southern League Central play-off race.
“We got exactly what we deserved,” he said. “There have been some harsh words said.
“The last two games we have come so far away from what we have been doing all season.
“We have to do something about that because that is an unacceptable performance and result.”
There was better news for Stourbridge, who claimed a 1-1 draw at Stamford thanks to debutant Will Etheridge’s 86th minute goal to remain within striking distance of safety.
“We had to be patient. We kept knocking on the door. I think we deserved it,” said boss Scott Adey-Linforth.
Jack Birch scored a last-gasp winner as Stafford Rangers beat Shifnal Town 3-2 to move further clear of the Northern League West Division drop zone.
The Boro, who have now won three on the spin under new boss Graham Deakin, had been two up before letting the lead slip but Birch ensured they took all three points with his second of the game.
“My blood pressure was through the roof those last few minutes,” said Deakin. “We would have lost that game a few weeks ago. I’m so, so proud of the group.”
Sporting Khalsa also boosted their survival hopes after fighting back from a goal down to beat Kidsgrove Athletic 3-1 but Chasetown lost further ground in the play-off race as they were beaten 2-0 at home by Nantwich.
In the Midlands Division, Lichfield City drew 0-0 at Racing Club Warwick.
