BRIDGNORTH’S defensive frailties were exposed this week with two straight defeats giving manager Lee Mills plenty to think about.
Despite finding an equaliser in the 89th minute on Saturday, and pulling to within one goal on Tuesday evening, lapses of concentration ensured Town went away empty handed on both occasions.
“We really need to learn how to shut up shop because in both games we would have settled for a draw,” said Mills. “The last three defeats have been purely down to defensive errors and it’s something we can’t keep doing.
“Lewis Sedgley made three or four fantastic runs against Biddulph but we just couldn’t convert the chances.
“I’ve quickly learnt how frustrating this game can be. All I can hope is the players learn from their mistakes sooner rather than later.
“We’ve got an FA Cup game coming up, which would help future funds, and some big games against teams who look like they’ll struggle in this league, so we need to start winning.”
Town’s attempts to sign former Wolves player Adam Proudlock have also hit a snag – with Kidderminster latching on to the publicity surrounding his proposed move and offering him a trial.
“When I spoke to Adam he was without a club, so we just wanted to give him the opportunity train with us and show other players what’s required – a mutually beneficial situation,” added Mills.
“Kidderminster invited him down for a free trial after hearing he was available and I’ve always said I won’t stand in any player’s way, when they have a chance to better themselves as footballers. But the invite is still there for Adam, so long as he isn’t attached to another club.”
Biddulph Victoria 4 Town 2
THREE goals in the opening eight minutes ensured this game got off to a flyer, with both teams capitalising on defensive errors.
Steve Brannan put the hosts one up after two minutes and Danny Smith then doubled Biddulph’s lead from the penalty spot after seven.
Andy Pearson reduced the arrears a minute later and the score remained 2-1 until half time.
The second half started just as frantically as the first with Chris Baker restoring the home side’s two goal advantage six minutes in before Andy Rich pulled another goal back for Town.
With time running out for an equaliser Bridgnorth’s Colin Dunphy saw a header drop inches wide of the post before more defensive errors allowed James Marlow to steal in with two minutes remaining to claim all three points for Biddulph.
Town welcome Coventry Sphinx to Crown Meadow in the FA Cup Preliminary round draw tomorrow, at 3pm. Bridgnorth return to league action away to Willenhall Town on Bank Holiday Monday, at 3pm.
Town 1 Loughborough University 2
TOWN came away empty handed from this closely contested match, with both teams creating chances.
With seven minutes of the game remaining the visitors took the lead after the Bridgnorth’s defence failed to clear and the loose ball fell straight to the Loughborough striker, who made no mistake.
As time ran out Town’s players and supporters thought they had stole a share of the points when substitute Tom Whitney was felled in the area after being put through in goal.
Another Town substitute Andy Rich scored from the spot with a perfectly placed effort into the bottom corner.
But deep into injury time Loughborough won a free-kick midway in the Town half, allowing a speculative shot from the edge of the area to take a wicked deflection, totally wrong footing ‘keeper Chris Crook.