Wormley Rovers 2 Buntingford Town 1 MANAGER Paul Attfield blasted his side – and threatened changes – as they lost against a relegation-threatened side for the second successive game. I ve praised the players a lot since the turn of the New Year but this

Wormley Rovers 2 Buntingford Town 1

MANAGER Paul Attfield blasted his side - and threatened changes - as they lost against a relegation-threatened side for the second successive game.

"I've praised the players a lot since the turn of the New Year but this performance was not acceptable by any means," he said.

"The last two defeats could possibly cost us a top three finish when, if we had shown a better collective attitude, they could easily have been comfortable games.

"The players need to address the situation before the next game because with games against two of the top four teams and a cup final to come, more complacent showings will see changes to the team."

Having lost to relegated Chipperfield in their previous league game, Town were faced with a similar game against Wormley, who needed to win to stand any chance of Premier Division survival, and Buntingford have slipped out of the top three.

The game started slowly with both teams giving up possession on numerous occasions on a rock-hard pitch but the hosts took the lead in the 10th minute with their first chance.

Town lost the ball inside their own half and a long punt forward seemed harmless enough, but Jack Welsh reacted quickest and caught the Town defence flat-footed, firing a first-time 20-yard strike past the helpless Damion Williamson.

The visitors could have equalised moments later when Tom Bellingham did well to pressurise an under-hit back pass with the keeper clearing straight to Gary Christie. He sent an exquisite lob towards goal that the back-pedalling keeper just managed to tip over.

From the corner the ball dropped invitingly to the unmarked Carl Smith, who somehow fired over from eight yards.

This was as good as it got for Town as Wormley always looked dangerous on the break and surprisingly caused the defence some problems.

Williamson made two crucial one-on-one saves before half-time and another golden opportunity was fired over when he should have done better.

Attfield and his assistant Tony Galvin would certainly have been disappointed with the first-half showing and despite some quick passing football after the interval the general quality of the final ball was pretty dire.

Wormley doubled their lead after 56 minutes when another Town move broke down on the edge of the home penalty area. A defender advanced with the ball the length of the pitch and squared it for Daniel Burt to convert an embarrassingly simple goal.

Town continued to huff and puff without creating any clear chances until they reduced the deficit in the 74th minute when Matt Turl headed in a George Garner corner from 12 yards.

This should of galvanised the visitors but the recovery failed to materialise and only the alert Williamson prevented Rovers from adding to their lead.

Town: D Williamson, M Roach, L Ridings, D Easley, D Cain (C Simmonds), M Smith (B Lynch), T Bellingham (M Turl), G Garner, G Christie, C Smith, R Wilmott.