CARL ADAMS says he will have a ‘lot of work to do’ to remedy Stratford Town’s slump in the second half of the season.
Manager Adams admits the squad which impressed in the first five months of their debut season in Step Three has faltered since the new year and they have won just once in the league since February.
The goal was always to secure their Southern Premier status but Adams warns he will have to be busy in the summer to eradicate the clear weaknesses the recent games have shown.
“The same players that did so well for us over the first 20-plus games have come up massively short over the last 20 games or so,” said Adams.
“Retaining our Premier Division status for a club like ours is great success story but I am ambitious for more for this club which means I have a lot of work to do to achieve it.”
Adams felt Stratford were guilty of ‘gifting’ Dorchester Town two goals as they went down to a 2-1 defeat – their sixth loss in seven matches – on Tuesday at the DCS Stadium.
The only consolation was that Richard Gregory’s 88th-minute goal ended their ten-hour goal drought with Town’s first goal in seven matches.
“I’m afraid it’s the same old story. We brought this on ourselves by gifting them two goals,” said Adams.
“We have to learn from our mistakes and not keep repeating them.”
Charlie Davis turned neatly to fire past keeper Andy Kemp, who had been named supporters’ player of the season for the third year in a row, to give Dorchester the lead on 21 minutes.
A defensive mix-up following Marcel Simpson’s back pass presented Toby Holmes with the chance to tap home the visitors’ second on 34 minutes.
Stratford had more of an edge in the second period but Gregory’s shot smashed against the bar.
Gregory finally got his reward two minutes from time, ending Stratford’s goal drought of more than ten hours.
Stratford head to King’s Lynn Town on Saturday before ending the campaign at the DCS with a rearranged game against Cambridge City on Tuesday. The match was postponed last Saturday due to a waterlogged pitch but the league has extended the season to reschedule the contest.
Meanwhile, Stratford’s end of season presentation night will be held on Tuesday, May 3 at the Falcon Hotel in Stratford.
Everyone is welcome and tickets are £10 per head which includes a two-course meal. The evening starts at 7pm.
Town will officially open their new 100-seater stand on Sunday with a charity match featuring radio duo Ollie Gallant and Simon Alexander.
The Touch FM Breakfast Show hosts will go head-to-head in a charity game in aid of Molly Olly’s Wishes.
Gates open at 1pm, with a host of family activities planned, and kick-off is 2pm.
The DCS Stadium will host the Birmingham Midweek Floodlit Cup final when Coventry Copsewood play Nuneaton Griff on Tuesday, May 3.
Town will also stage two Stratford Alliance cup finals. Claverdon AFC meet Ilmington United in the Division Three KO Cup final tomorrow (Saturday) and Henley Forest tackle Badsey United on May 7.
Stratford’s Under 18s have reached the final of the Midland Floodlit Youth League Cup. They will play Oadby Town on May 4.
