Hebburn Town boss Scott Oliver unhappy with '˜garbage' performance

The Hornets suffered a blow to their promotion hopes on Wednesday when they crashed to a shock defeat at home to bottom side Esh Winning.

Hebburn had won their previous eight Northern League Division Two games, but lost 2-1 in a manner that left Oliver fuming, calling it the ‘worst performance’ he can remember from his team.

“I feel for the people that came to watch on Wednesday night,” he said.

“We are beating the drum for more support and they have to watch that garbage.

“We had a strong team out, there were no excuses at all. I was stunned by what I watched.

“All credit to Esh Winning who ran all night, but that defeat was our worst performance I can ever remember.

“There is not much me or (assistant) Chris Thompson can do when one to 11 are having nightmares.

“We had used all subs by the hour mark which tells a story.”

Esh opened the scoring after 20 minutes, when Lee Best scored with a neat header past goalkeeper Steven Hubery, but Town equalised after 61 minutes, when Alan Pegram lobbed keeper Mark Fish.

Just two minutes later though, Shaun Ross rounded keeper Hubery and scored from a tight angle to glean three crucial relegation points.

Oliver admits there will be some harsh words said in the dressing room before tomorrow’s trip to promotion contenders Easington.

And he has warned his players that he won’t settle for mid-table mediocrity this season.

“I was stunned by the performance,” he added.

“It’s hard to believe we had won eight games in a row before Wednesday night.

“My goalkeeper made poor decisions, the back four sliced clearances all night, the midfield didn’t work hard enough and couldn’t pass it five yards, and our forwards lacked energy.

“Easington are pushing for promotion and we need to bounce back. Our dressing room will be lively tomorrow as we will have a chat about Wednesday night and what we expect.

“Glen Hargrave returns but James Davidson on holiday.

“We have injuries but they are nowhere near fit yet.

“I’m in no mood for our season to end up in a mid table scrap.”