After the efforts on Saturday at Sandhurst we were faced with a trip to Raynes Park..

If you know anything about this league and their ground you know you are in for a tough game. And so it proved with us on the wrong end of a four nil thumping.

On a heavy pitch with players losing their footing almost every time there was nothing to choose between the sides early on . In fact it wasn’t until midway through the half that the first shot came, and that was from us when a well-worked move freed Reece Jackson to fire straight at the keeper.

That encouraging moment seemed as if it might be indication that we were gaining the upper hand. A series of well worked moves breaking down only on the final ball and through a lack of good movement in the final third.

As notes were being busily written presumably to plot a way of winning the game we fell behind. The surface holding up the through ball that Tim Pitt was trying to usher out, only for him to commit a foul in the process. From the resulting kick a lack of marking at the back post saw us concede when we should have done better.

As half time approached the goal against was noticeably affecting us as defensively we were all at sea. Just as it seemed we would get in with just a one-goal deficit we were caught again. A defensive nightmare for the coach as there was no pressure on the ball, no front screen from the holding mid fielders, no depth to the defence and no cover as we were resoundly punished for being caught square and for not getting the basics done.

At two down the second half was always going to be tough, and when early changes were necessary for injuries to Alistair John and Reece Jackson our threat was almost gone. Robbie Burns introduction brightened the night slightly, but with his optimism over his fitness mis placed he couldn’t` really make an impact.

More worryingly was the defensive show. Or lack of it. The third goal conceded with fifteen to go highlighting the ineptness of this display, when from a corner the marking was non-existent and the gifted free header was converted with ease.

With the players having thrown the towel in, focussing more on the journey home the discipline went as well. A number of petulant fouls gifting our opponent’s goal scoring opportunities from the resulting free kicks. As the game got ever closer to its conclusion our misery was compounded even further,r completing a miserable night when we not only conceded a fourth goal but had Lloyd Welsh dismissed in the bargain.

A wake up call if ever there was one.