Paul Doswell issued a rallying cry to his players after Sutton United slumped to another defeat in the Vanarama Conference South on Saturday, losing 2-0 to Whitehawk.
Nick Arnold opened the scoring with a rasping drive that went in off the post, before Sam Deering won, and converted, a penalty after being brought down by a combination of Craig Dundas and Kevin Amankwaah.
It was United’s third defeat in four games and leaves them only three points clear of relegation, with manager Doswell adamant he and his staff have done all they can and it’s up to the players to start performing.
“The staff are working really hard and the supporters are doing their bit, but it’s up to the players now to put a shift in and make a change,” he said.
“The players haven’t given the supporters enough to cheer about this year, and I don’t think they have given me enough.
“In the past I have protected them, but I can’t play for them and they have got to start putting in more consistent performances.”
In the Ryman Premier, Met Police kept their promotion hopes alive thrashing East Thurrock United 5-0.
Charlie Collins scored either side of United’s David Bryant being sent off. Steve Sutherland, Matt Pattison and Jay Lovett added further goals in what was a one-sided affair.
Hampton & Richmond Borough lost to Billericay Town 2-1 leaving them only three points clear of the relegation places. Richard Halle and Glenn Poole scored before Tom Collins grabbed a late consolation.
Kingstonian beat Canvey Island 3-1 courtesy of a second-half hat-trick from Pelayo Pico Gomez.
In Ryman One Division South, Walton Casuals caused a huge upset gaining a rare win against fifth-placed Whyteleafe.
Luke Medley’s goal was cancelled out by Roscoe D’Sane on the stroke of half-time. However, Gabriel Odunaike’s seventh goal of the season helped the Stags to a 2-1 victory.
Tooting & Mitcham United lost 3-2 to high-fliers Faversham Town in a goal fest.
Frankie Sawyer scored in the seventh minute, but two goals from Josh Stanford, and another from David Botterill took the game away from Tooting despite Sol Pinnock’s late goal.
Walton & Hersham were denied all three points by a 90th minute goal by Jack Page which cancelled out Gareth Chendlik’s early strike. It gave bottom of the league Horsham a creditable 1-1 draw.
Corinthian Casuals were humbled by fellow strugglers East Grinstead losing 4-1, while Carshalton Athletic lost 2-1 to Burgess Hill Town.
In the Combined Counties League, Colliers Wood United lost 2-1 to Cove, while Raynes Park Vale lost by an identical scoreline to Ashford Town.
