Rocks Review: Team's problem is clear to the bosses

The 1-0 home defeat to Kingstonian was their eighth league defeat - and in seven of those they have ended goalless as well as pointless.

It’s a continuing worry for Jamie Howell and Darin Killpartrick as they try to keep their team in the thick of the race for play-off places.

A week ago, the worry was in central defence as injury woes struck the heart of the back four.

After a search for someone to slot in at the back proved futile, Daryl Wollers deputised alongside Stuart Axten, putting in a pleasing performance for the Rocks’ management despite the late 1-0 defeat in a role he is likely to continue in during Ben Andrews’ and Louis John’s absence.

But concerns now centre on the opposite end of the pitch and Howell is well aware their lack of goals and end product has been costing them dearly all season.

Howell said:”It was really disappointing coming away on Saturday being beaten 1-0 as I thought we played well.

“It was very similar to a lot of games we’ve played this season where we’ve had a lot of the ball and not many goalscoring opportunities - I thought 0-0 would have probably been a fair result.

“Daryl Wollers came in and did really well, which was very pleasing. He and Stuart played well together. It’s difficult as the whole team played well.

“We had a lot of the ball and didn’t really make any real chances to score. It’s been our problem all season - we’ve not been clinical enough in front of goal and that’s why we’ve not won as many games. It’s very frustrating.

“We scored 100 goals in each of the past two seasons and have about 30 this season, which is not great, and it tells you where the problems lie - it’s about finding a remedy to that.”

A light at the end of the tunnel on Saturday came as Terry Dodd notched on his debut and claimed an assisted for County League first-division outfit East Preston, where he is on a month’s loan in effort to gain match fitness.

A fully-fit Dodd along with Ashley-Paul Robinson and Pompey loanee Dan Thompson - whose effort against the Ks was also praised - is what Howell sees as the answer.

He added: “I was pleased for him (Dodd) - he’s going to play a a lot of games there and he needs to come back sharp. In some ways two sharp Terry Dodds are what we’re missing this year.

“It’s been well documented he needs to lose some weight and he is doing that - I think he’s lost a stone already.”

The Rocks travel to Hendon on Saturday and with no new signings expected, Wollers is expected to continue at the heart of defence.

“We have no-one else poised to come in so we’re going with what we’ve got,” Howell added. “It was a good result for Hendon on Tuesday night against Whitehawk (1-1) and it’s a tough place to go.”

The Sussex Senior Cup has drawn up a plum home tie against Eastbourne Borough which will be played on Tuesday, February 26. This means the league match at Met Police for the following day has been rearranged for Wednesday, April 17.

Howell said: “A tie against higher opposition will be a good test and we’re looking forward to it.”

Get first news from Hendon v Bognor on this website on Saturday