Weakened Redditch slump at Valley

Gary Whild faces having to completely rebuild his Redditch squad

Redditch United crashed to a 2-1 home defeat against Blue Square North strugglers Burscough.

But the Reds' manager Gary Whild told BBC Hereford & Worcester that, with half his first team missing, it was always going to be difficult.

"You've got five of your best players from the last couple of months who are not playing," he said.

"The lads that came in gave their all, but a club like Redditch can't replace that calibre of player easily."

Burscough took a two-goal first-half lead courtesy of Craig Davies's second-minute strike and then Peter Heller, who netted on 36 minutes.

Richard Soffley's stunning volley gave the home side hope late on, but Burscough held on for what was only their third league win of the season.

Whild feels there were clear mitigating circumstances, as his squad had been decimated in the run-up to the game.

Danny Edwards has moved on to AFC Telford United, while midfielder Sam Foley has been recalled from his loan by Kidderminster Harriers.

Mark Rawle has also left Valley Stadium after Kettering Town recalled the experienced striker from his loan spell.

Whild said the loss of three influential players would be tough enough to deal with, but his problems did not end there.

"Aman Verma looks as though he is going to sign for Leicester City in the week," he said, "while Lee Ayres may well sign for Forest Green.

"None of them have gone to Mickey Mouse clubs - they have all bettered themselves or have gone to better clubs, so good luck to them."

Gary Whild is clearly frustrated by the dismantling of a squad he has worked hard to assemble throughout the season.

It is well known that money is tight around Valley Stadium, but Whild feels this should not detract from the progress made by the club.

The Reds are to hold a fans forum at Valley Stadium on Thursday evening and Gary Whild says this should prove a useful exercise.

"You speak to anybody in football who knows anything about the game and they will tell you what a fantastic job our coach Carl Heggs has done and what a fantastic set of players we've got.

"For a team like us to get where we were was a fantastic achievement.

"Some were saying last week they would rather drop down the leagues if it meant Redditch carrying on, so let's hope they all turn up on Thursday so we can take something out of it."