Boss Poulson calls on players to stay sharp

FC STRATFORD round-off their season at home to Shortwood United on Saturday but need results elsewhere to go their way if they are to secure a play-off place at the top of Division One of the Hellenic League,

The Bears go into the game in fourth place after a comfortable 2-0 victory over already-relegated Carterton at the weekend but their promotion rivals have games in hand.

And while manager Dave Poulson acknowledges that their fate is in the hands of others, he has sent a clear message to his players.

The Bears boss said: “The thing is, we know that the play-off position isn't in our hands. We've said for a long time now that we have to win our games so the result in terms of the unbeaten run is good but the form hasn't necessarily been good within those games.

“So I think it's important we turn up next week, sharp, and do our job and get three points against Shortwood and just put the pressure on the other sides to make sure they win their games. Keep the intensity up, make sure we get the result and just make the other teams do their jobs.”

And he admitted that although delighted to get the three points against Carterton, he was disappointed with the performance.

“First half, we just weren't at the races. We were slow to everything. We looked disinterested which was a bit disappointing.

“We got the goal, just the one bit of football we played, and then I thought the second half we were just in control. We could have gone sharper, probably could have scored a couple more, but at this stage it's three points and that's what we need just to keep the pressure on.”