United suffer setbacks to Burnham and Southend Manor

Bethnal Green United’s poor league form continued this week after they were beaten by both Burnham Ramblers and Southend Manor 2-1.

The Greens have won just one of their last six matches, losing four in the process.

With their title dreams over, the winning momentum built up by success earlier in the season has gone.

Boss Justin Gardner is refusing to be too critical of his charge, who still have a chance of silverware in the League Cup, if the manage to beat Stansted in the semi-finals.

“We are going through a tough patch at the moment, but I don’t believe we are playing too badly,” Gardner said.

“We have not been getting the rub of the green and our luck has been down a bit. Don’t get me wrong, of course you make your own luck.

“We have been creating plenty of chances but for one reason or another we haven’t been taking them which is costing us.

“We are also failing to put in a 90 minute performance, we play extremely well in patches but not for the whole game.”

A case in point was Tuesday night’s defeat to Southend Manor, which Gardner believes was the game of two halves.

The Greens took the lead through Ryan Lee after 20 minutes, but Manor fought back and equalised five minutes later before scoring what turned out to be the winner after 35 minutes.

“They dominated the first half and we batted them in the second,” the boss said.

“We scored first but didn’t deserve it and in the second half we created so many chances, but just didn’t put them away.

“I brought on 18-year-old Nathan Wilson at the start of the second period and he played extremely well, he changed the game.”

Wilson was rested for the Green’s game on Saturday where they fell to defeat at Burnham Ramblers.

Stuart Judd gave the hosts a 31st minute lead with a powerful shot from outside the area, before Lee equalised after 57 minutes, who equalled Ramblers’ effort with a stunning long range strike.

Lee went however from hero to villain as he gave the ball away after 71 to Judd, who managed to find the net and claim the three points for his side.

“Again we played quite well, but it was an individual error which cost us,” Gardner said.

“I have confidence in my team to go out there and perform.

“The players themselves are mainly still confident because they have been playing well.”