Boss Kelvin Langmead lambasts ‘unacceptable’ Banbury United performance as Puritans fall perilously close to relegation zone
Banbury United are now just three points above the Southern League Premier Central bottom four following a humbling 3-0 defeat at home to Worcester City.
Goals from Charlie Wise, Aaron Bishop and Duncan Idehen condemned the Puritans to their seventh league defeat of the season.
Worcester, in 19th, had only won once in the league before their visit to the TUGO Community Stadium, though they are now only three points behind Banbury with two games in hand.
Puritans manager Kelvin Langmead recently oversaw victories over Stamford AFC and Leighton Town, prompting a little hope, however it all came back down to earth on Tuesday night.
“I’m full of emotion,” Langmead told Puritans Live. “That was a difficult night. We are all - and I lead the pack on this - falling well short of where we need to be.
“It was unacceptable tonight. I’m not going to make excuses or sugarcoat anything. It’s just not good enough.
“Look, we’re in a bad spot. I talk a lot around hard work and doing the right things away from the football club – sometimes it’s just got to come from within, and I include myself in that.
“There needs to be a desire to win, a desire to do well and to do the basics to the best of your ability. We’re all falling well short of that at the moment.”
The Puritans noticeably struggled to deal with Worcester’s physicality and their potency from set pieces, particularly long throws.
The lack of confidence was also obvious. Whether it be kicking it long to the Worcester centre-halves or missing a first touch, mistakes were aplenty.
Langmead continued: “I’ve put this football team together, it’s on me. I understand football, I’ve been in it long enough.
“I’ve had some rocky moments in my career and tough moments in my life. From a professional aspect, this is right up there with the toughest.
“I wish I had words of wisdom and a load of positivity and the answers right now, but that’s not the case.”
Langmead, who has recruited much of the first-team squad himself, was hopeful Banbury would be far more competitive this season.
The Puritans’ next test is away at the second-placed Bury Town – at 3pm this Saturday, October 31.