Lacklustre loss hits Yates hard

1:01pm Sunday 27th April 2008

HARRIERS manager Mark Yates admitted that Saturday's end of season 3-0 loss to Woking left a bitter taste in his mouth (read report) .

The Aggborough side were totally outplayed by Woking at the Kingsfield Stadium as they ended a disappointing campaign in the Blue Square Premier with a lacklustre performance.

Defeat means that Harriers slipped to 13th place in the league, despite gathering more points than the previous season.

"I'm gutted that we lost. I'd like to apologise to the fans because that wasn't what we've been about for the last three points," said the manager after the game.

"The players were all disappointed and it leaves a sour taste for me because we've set ourself a certain standard over the last few months."

Despite the result it was only Harriers' second defeat in the last 11 league games and Yates was eager not to let the out of sorts performance cloud his judgement when it comes to offering new contracts to the current squad.

With only five players contracted to the club Yates will begin talking to his players about who he wants to keep and will be releasing from Monday onwards.

Yates said: "That performance wasn't good enough and we can't hide from that fact.

"It was the last game of the season. We have to forget this performance and move on but this result will stick with me for a little while.

"We won't let this result cloud our judgement.

"There was a lack of effort from too many players but I don't want to lambast them.

"I have to forgive the lads even though they hurt me, we have to get on with it and plan for next season."

With the season over Yates also said his greatest disappointment was his side's inability to mount a realistic campaign for the promotion play-offs.

Hopes had been high that Harriers could launch a bid for the top five but a lack of consistency left them in mid-table.

"We were never really in with a shout for the play-offs, even though I thought we had squad capable of giving us a chance," he added.

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