United title dreams all but over after loss

Bethnal Green United boss Justin Gardner described Saturday’s defeat to Mauritius Sports as the worst he has experienced as a manger.

The boss was fuming with his side’s display against a team who regularly prop up the Essex Senior League table and conceded their title chances were now over.

“We were shocking. If you consider who we playing and the performance we put in, I would say that result is the worst I have had as a manager,” Gardner said.

“They were poor and we were 10 times worse so you can imagine how bad we were. Only Ashley King and Jason Fox can come out of that game with any credit, it was a bad day at the office.”

“Nobody apart from Stansted and Enfield have been consisted this season, which is why they are at the top of the table. The league is definitely out of our reach. They both would have to lose four of their last nine games and that won’t happen.”

Theo Manza opened the scoring for Mauritius at Wadham Lodge in the 53rd minute although the Greens drew level from the penalty spot through Ainsley Gaspar with six minutes left.

However for the second league game running Greens conceded a goal deep into injury time, when poor marking gave Rob Pilington time and space in the United box to slot home and win the game.

“We lost Leon Ryan with a calf injury at half-time. Jack Sawyer broke his ankle and Sam Adejokun got injured so I was forced into three substitutions. We also arrived late but there is no excuse for performing the way we did,” Gardner said.

“I can’t put my finger on why we keep conceding late goals. It’s not down to fitness because I believe we are of the fittest sides in the league. It may be mental I don’t know.”

The Greens have a chance to bounce back from last Saturday’s disastrous result this weekend when they face second-bottom Sawbridgeworth Town at Mile End Stadium, a team whom they beat 6-1 in November.

“They were poor when we played them before, but at the same time we played well,” Gardner said.

“We were five up I think at half-time and they are a team who I would expect us to beat, although they did win against Bowers & Pitsea during the week.

“The players owe it to themselves to be motivated for this match and I expect a result.”