Inability to stop Wells cost us cup tie says Tigers boss Shaw

The hosts’ striker scored all four of their goals, and took his tally against Worksop Town this season to five – but it so easily could have been more.

Wells missed a glut of late chances, and was a thorn in Tigers’ side all evening in the 4-1 loss.

Shaw paid tribute to the front man.

“Defensively we didn’t deal with one player who went and ran riot,” he said.

“Full credit to the lad, he works hard doesn’t he? Scored three very good goals, got a fourth, he did really well.

“It’s disappointing we didn’t go and deal with him at the beginning of the game.”

“We got off to a really good start, and then didn’t deal with him.

“That’s disappointing, when one player is playing up front, is getting down the sides of us, getting too much space for his first two goals.”

The Tigers boss conceded that his men had not looked after the ball well enough, but highlighted the injury problems that kept a number of first team players out of action.

“We weren’t very good with the ball and they put us under a lot of pressure,” he said.

“It was always going to be a difficult game.

“We had one player making his debut, we’ve got a lot of disjointed players in the side, it’s changing all the time because of injuries.

“Phil Roe is struggling with his neck and back, Julian Lawrence needs to be out of the team, he’s struggling massively with an injury and it’s causing us problems.

“Jordan Hodder is struggling with his foot. Henshaw has been struggling with tight hamstrings, although he should be back Saturday.

“Jack Waddle was unavailable.”

Tigers, winless in four, must bounce back when they take on the sides in 12th and 13th place in the NCEL Premier on Saturday and Tuesday.

Looking ahead to the visit of Rainworth on Saturday, and the trip to Thackley on Tuesday, Shaw said: “The players have got to show how much they want to play for the club. A lot of them are playing for next year, because at the moment they’re not pulling up trees.

“We need a result because we don’t want to be out of the title race so early in March.”