HAYDEN BIRD is demanding less emotion and more control from his strikers on Saturday, if Merstham are to stand a chance against Maidstone United in the FA Cup.
Worthing scored in the 90th minute on Tuesday night to win 2-1 at the Moatside and leapfrog Merstham in the Ryman League Division One South, and manager Bird believes his side were not clinical enough in front of goal.
"We can talk about the goals conceded, but how the strikers haven't come away with two goals each is beyond me," he said. "I don't think anyone could have complained if Merstham had scored four goals.
"Even in the first half, Tommy Hutchings had three chances; now in football, to win these games, one of those chances needs to go in, otherwise you leave yourself open.
"If they don't learn the lessons of this game, they will be the best team in the league that doesn't go up."
Despite Merstham dominating the early chances in a poor first half, Worthing took the lead through Mark Knee in the 40th minute.
However, Merstham looked good value for a point when skipper Lee Newman slotted the ball over the diving Simon Lehkyj.
But the Moatsiders were denied a share of the points by Paul Kennett's last-gasp header.
"The first goal we conceded was a disgrace and the second was worse," Bird lamented. "You don't win football matches like that. One thing I stressed to the team at half-time is that you can't play on emotion. You have to stay calm, you can't get wrapped up in chasing the game, you have to just do your job."
Merstham host Ryman League Premier Division title-chasers Maidstone in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday, and Bird has warned his strikers "do your job".
"If they play with the naivety they showed against Worthing on Saturday, then Maidstone will win the game without any shadow of a doubt," the manager said. "I wouldn't say I'm looking for a better performance from the strikers, I'm looking for more control. You have to take the emotion out of it and get on and do your job."
