Shropshire Star

Rob Edwards 'more than confident' AFC Telford will stay up despite latest defeat

Boss Rob Edwards assumes responsibility for another awful defeat but is 'more than confident' AFC Telford United will stay up.

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The Bucks were woeful in the second half as they lost 3-0 at Southport.

They are third bottom in National League North with 11 games to go.

"It was 0-0 at half-time and it was probably fair, but there were a few things we needed to adjust," said Edwards, after goals from Elliot Osborne, Dion Charles and Jack Sampson at Haig Avenue.

"Dion Charles was a problem down their left-hand side so we talked about how to try to stop that.

"Ultimately, it comes down to goals and we made a few errors for each of the goals.

"We had a great chance at 1-0, and maybe a bit of belief was lost after we missed that chance.

"We were a bit passive in our own half. It was too easy.

"I assume responsibility, I've got to try to find that winning formula and try to help the players pick themselves up - give them that belief.

"Again, there was lots of things in that game that showed we can compete with good teams, as Southport are.

"I really felt we could get more than just something from the game, but goals win games. Our heads dropped."

Telford had two debutants, in defender Dom Smith and attacker Kane Richards - who came on in the second half.

Smith joined from Shrewsbury Town last week and Richards from Dover Athletic yesterday.

On whether the Bucks have enough quality to stay up, Edwards said: "Definitely, I think we've shown it so many times this season.

"We need to avoid silly mistakes in and around our own box, and take our chances when we get them.

"I'm more than confident we have enough in the squad, enough ability, desire, work rate, spirit and togetherness.

"What we have to do is not talk about it, but do it. It's about action."

The night was rounded off with Amari Morgan-Smith being shown a straight red card for a late lunge.

On the sending-off, Edwards added: "I don't know how much contact Amari has made but you're running the risk, late on, when you go in with excessive force.

"I'll have a look back at it, but it's very frustrating. It's not what we want."