Naivety blamed as young Holwell Sports side suffer two more defeats
Holwell Sports manager Liam Wild believes naivety was behind their two defeats this week as they sit bottom of Midland League Division One.
A first win of the season lifted the club on the Bank Holiday weekend.
But a 6-0 thrashing at table-toppers Gornall Athletic on Saturday was followed by a more hurtful 3-2 home loss to fellow strugglers Kirby Muxloe on Tuesday.
“Again it was down to individual mistakes at the wrong moments on Tuesday as well as not putting away chances – we had enough in the last half hour to win that game 10-fold,” said Wild.
“But this is a young squad learning their trade, so the mistakes are part of that and need to be learned from – I just need them to learn a bit quicker.
“We had pulled one back at 2-1, but straight away at the other end our keeper spilled the ball at the feet of their striker and he won't score an easier goal.
“Then we missed a great chance straight after.
“The lads are working hard and I still believe in them as we have quality, pace and power plus technical ability.
“It's just a bit of naivety and needing to learn and understand the game. They can only get that from going through these tough times.”
He added: “I do see light at the end of the tunnel. They are playing some good stuff and working hard, trying to turn it round for the club.
“It does hurt them and they are determined to put it right.
“We do have one or two older players due to return when University starts back up, but they are only 23.
“We are always looking for more experience but we have to work within our budget.
“We will try to bring in one or two reinforcements over the next couple of weeks.
“But I still believe in this squad and feel we can go on a run.”
Lucca Watson-Quilter put Kirby ahead on 21 minutes and Joseph Neal made it 2-0 on 64 minutes.
Godfried Debrah pulled one back on 72 minutes only for a keeper error to gift Brandon Hands a third for Kirkby a minute later.
Richard Blankson made it 3-2 on 85 minutes to set up an exciting but frustrating finish.
On Saturday, Gornal, who have a 100 per cent record from nine games, came out all guns blazing and Joel Westwood and Traevay Wright had them 2-0 up inside four minutes.
Mitch Botfield added a third on 29 minutes and Trevor Short made it 4-0 just before the break.
The Peacocks added two more through Wright on 58 minutes and Reagan Wardle on 70 minutes.
“Of the six goals, five came from individual errors and one from a set piece,” said Wild.
“Obviously Gornal are a good team and credit to them, they are well organised and may win the league.
“You can't give them a heartbeat or they will punish you.”