CITY joint boss John Snape has called on his side to lick their wounds and learn the lessons from Saturday’s 5-3 reverse at home to Sporting Khalsa when they travel to Rugby Town this weekend.
The clash marks the first of three away games for the Blue and Whites with a rearranged trip to AFC Wulfrunians before a visit to leaders Coleshill Town the following Saturday.
Speaking after Saturday’s game, Snape admitted the run would be a test of a City squad which played just twice in January following a run of postponements.
“I think we have a good squad and anyone can step in at any time. We will lick our wounds this week and go to Rugby who are no mugs on their own pitch so it will be another test,” he said.
Goals in a second half fightback from Dave Reynolds, Alex Tomkinson and Jamie Smith were not enought to save City from defeat, having trailled 3-0 at half time and 4-0 with half an hour left as Jak Jeys ran riot for Khalsa
A frustrated Snape said a ‘few harsh words’ had been said at half time and admitted he and fellow boss Lee Hughes could have substituted any of the starting 11.
“You can’t come in 3-0 down at half time if you want to go on and win the league so there were a few harsh words at half time,” he said.
“We probably made our own problems, especially in the first half. I never thought I would see this side, no disrespect to our opponents, concede five goals at home with the know-how, knowledge and experience they have.
“There are positives from the game, we scored three goals, but the overwhelming negative is that’s our first defeat at home in the league. It will be our last.
“There are 60 points to play for, we have won 13 games and if we can average two points a game I think it’s going to be a fantastic end to the campaign.”
Despite admitting Khalsa deserved the three points, Snape said he and Hughes would be working the squad hard in training this week to forget what they hope was an off day against Khalsa.
Hughes missed the game with Khalsa with a slight groin strain and will be assessed in training before City make the trip to Warwickshire.
