Rob Edwards: AFC Telford players are ‘on thin ice’

The Bucks beat Droylsden 4-2 in the third qualifying round on Saturday.

They were in fine form going forward as debutant Sylvan Ebanks-Blake scored twice and John Marsden and Marcus Dinanga got one each, but put in a dire defensive showing against the Evo-Stik Northern League First Division North side.

“I can’t keep saying the same things over and over and people are on thin ice,” said Edwards. “We have to deal with it better when we are under pressure. We have to defend better.

“We weren’t dealing with that long ball well enough, they were getting in too easily with runners and off the flick-ons. One ball was hurting us too often.”

Ebanks-Blake was the stand-out performer. His goals came in a kamikaze first half in which The Bloods enjoyed the majority of possession for large spells and saw both Ciaran Kilheeney and Sefton Gonzales score.

Nerves were eased deep into the second period as Marsden fired home before teeing up Dinanga to put the game to bed.

When asked if was a case of the attack bailing out the defence, Edwards said: “Definitely. We had to score four to win the game. Even at the end there, they could have got one.

“It is basics. I’ll accept mistakes – I make them all the time, we all do. It is part of being human.”

“I’ve said to the lads that we will have to start looking at it, if that is going to be the case.

“I don’t think we are that far away from being a half decent outfit.

“We have won the game and scored four goals, there are positives, but we shouldn’t be having to score four goals to secure a game.”

Telford were set to find out their first round opponents following today’s draw. The tie will take place on Saturday, December 16.

On Saturday’s showing at the New Bucks, Edwards added: “It’s not all doom and gloom, I need to make that clear. But, as well, the lads have to be clear that I expect better.”