WORCESTER City boss Carl Heeley has urged his side to launch another unbeaten run when their FA Cup campaign continues with the visit of Brackley Town to the Victoria Ground on Saturday.
The Blue and Whites go into the game on the back of a 3-2 home reverse against Nuneaton Town on Saturday which ended their six-game unbeaten run.
However, having beaten Saturday’s opponents 2-0 in the league earlier this month, Heeley hopes his men will secure another victory in the third qualifying round tie which would leave them just one game from the first round.
Heeley admitted the defeat was ‘one game too far’ for his side who have taken to the field 14 times in seven weeks since the season began.
“We haven’t reached anywhere near the heights we reached in the previous six games, our passing was sloppy, we looked tired and lethargic,” he said.
“I thought they passed the ball better than us and they looked fresher than us but, look, we have had a great run, it’s a shame we couldn’t finish the month off with another win but we’ll dust ourselves off for the next game.
“The boys have worked incredibly hard so hopefully now we’ll go on another run starting Saturday.”
The City chief expressed his frustration at the refereeing display in the Nuneaton game and claimed referee Martin Woods ‘bottled’ the big decisions including a penalty when Lee Hughes was bundled over in the box.
“How the full back stays on the pitch is beyond me, he’s booked then he gets a warning then another warning with the captain for a number of blatant fouls,” Heeley said.
“The penalty – well, you saw two minutes after what Lee Hughes can do, if he’s four yards from goal and has an opportunity to score he isn’t going down,” he added.
Heeley expects to have a near fully fit squad for the clash with defender James Chambers expected to train this week.
Admission prices have again been reduced for the clash with tickets £10 for adults, £8 for concessions (over 60s, unwaged and armed forces personnel), £3 for those aged 16 to 21 and £1 for under 16s.