FA VASE SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND

Bridgwater United 3 Saltash United 1

MANAGER Lee Britchford will take advantage of a match-free midweek to step up his bid to strengthen the Saltash squad following their disappointing exit from the FA Vase at Bridgwater on Saturday.

Britchford believes his young and relatively small group needs a boost after a positive start to the campaign.

The Ashes led at Fairfax Park through Harry Truscott’s first goal for the senior side in the 21st minute, but Harry Horton equalised just before half-time and Sam Beresford scored twice in the second half, including a 90th minute penalty.

With the tie at 2-1 and with 15 minutes to go, striker Henry Donovan saw his penalty saved by Kingston.

Britchford said: “We’ve got a free week now and we’re probably desperately in need of that in terms of being able to get a few players back.

“It’s a relentless schedule and you’re always relying on your squad to get you through it, but unfortunately we’ve got a small squad.

“I’m looking to bring in one or two to help the lads because I think we’re in desperate need of a few extra bodies – but they have to be the right players.

“That’s going to be my main focus this week in a bid to continue the positive start to the season we’ve had.”

On the performance at Bridgwater – the Ashes’ second visit in the space of a week after a 2-1 defeat in the league the previous Saturday – Britchford said: “I was extremely disappointed with the performance to be honest with you.

“The game was almost a carbon copy of last week in terms of the way it went. We were excellent in the first half, we passed the ball really well.

“We took the lead and I was delighted for Harry to get his first goal for the men’s team. He finished really well and he looked very bright during the time he was on. He’s now had two very good games so I’m very pleased with him.

“The second half was disappointing, almost like chalk and cheese compared with our performance against Newquay on Tuesday night.”

The Ashes return to action on Saturday at Brixham (3pm).

SALTASH UNITED: Jordan Duffey, Jack Jefford, Alfie Wotton (capt), Hayden Greening, Sam Joce, Charlie Elkington, Harry Truscott, Fin Wilkes, Henry Donovan, Freddie Tolcher, Joe Preece. Subs: Owen Davies, George Powell, Max Everall, Ben Goulty, Adam Peters.

Ashes’ man-of-the-match: Hayden Greening.