AFC Telford United boss addresses area to improve after fourth straight win in milestone game

Kevin Wilkin felt his AFC Telford United team could have been more comfortable securing a fourth win in a five-game unbeaten run in defeating Spalding United.

Louis Moult and Oliver Cawthorne helped the Bucks recover from a poor start to beat the Lincolnshire side 2-1 at the SEAH Stadium; however, the manager’s focus fell on the poor start and a nervous ending.

“Again, we got off to a really poor start,” Wilkin said after a win in his 200th game as Bucks boss. “We were loose and sloppy in that moment; it is almost like a slow-motion phase of play. Credit to Spalding: they put us under pressure.

“The start was awful again, and we need to be better there.”

Wilkin’s side fell behind to a close-range finish from Dion Sembie-Ferris following a long throw, but recovered to lead by half-time, a response which soothed Wilkin’s annoyance.

“After about ten minutes, I thought we really bossed the first half,” the Bucks boss added. “It was great to get ourselves back in the game and score a terrific goal. It is really pleasing to get the result and build on what we have done in previous weeks.”

“It could have been, and probably should have been, slightly more comfortable.

“Spalding had another moment in the first half that I wouldn’t be happy about, and certainly a header towards the end, but it is nice to move forward with the three points.

“We can unpick that through the course of the week and hopefully build on it.”

The Bucks’ tendency to start slowly is an area their manager has been working to address. They fell behind similarly at Southport a week earlier, again recovering to win, but Wilkin feels his side aren’t learning the lesson quickly enough.

“We should have had a warning from last week’s start, but we didn’t,” Wilkin said. “Thereafter, though, we had a terrific first half and played some really good stuff to score two excellent goals.

“With the balance of play and the momentum we had, we probably should have scored again.

“It evened out a little in the second half. We weren’t quite as dominant as you would expect, and they were looking to salvage something from the game. I am naturally really pleased that we took the three points, but there is certainly plenty of room for improvement.”

Spalding boss Jimmy Dean was unhappy with his side and made a slew of second-half substitutions, which drew a response. Their willingness to take risks for a share of the spoils had the Bucks on the retreat, but Wilkin felt his team contributed to that situation.

“I thought we started making the wrong decisions and playing in a different way, instead of managing the ball as we did in the first half,” he said. “We weren’t quite as incisive with the ball and didn’t move it as quickly. At two–one, there is still something there for you.

“We have been in that situation often enough and finished the game really strongly. I remember at Morecambe we should have taken something from the game.

“When there is only a goal between you, disappointing moments can matter, as they did against Hebburn (when the Bucks conceded a late equaliser). We have to learn from it and improve.”