HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS boss Keith Wilson believes his team owe the club a good FA Trophy performance on Saturday and is looking for a turning point in their season.
Wilson admitted he and his players had a "good clear the air chat" after Saturday's 4-2 Ryman North home defeat to Ware, which saw them go 4-0 down after just 19 minutes.
This Saturday they travel to Surrey-based Ryman South side South Park, who hammered Cheshunt 5-1 away in the last round of the FA Trophy.
"This could be the turning point," said Wilson. "We let the club down on Saturday and we need to put that right.
"We're getting on a coach to go down there and that can help with team spirit. If we win, that coach trip back will be great."
While some managers see the Trophy as the poor relation to the FA Cup, Wilson believes his team needs the competition to galvanise them.
"It's not a distraction, it's a good competition," he explained. "With a bit of luck you can go on a good run.
"My old team, East Thurrock United, are in the FA Cup first round and you can see what the feel-good factor of a cup run can do to the place. We could do with that confidence."
The Swifts manager blasted his players after Saturday's defeat, which saw a brace from Kieran Bishop and strikes from Charlie Ledula and Albert Adu put Ware 4-0 up on 19 minutes, before Billy Hunt hit one back on 22 minutes and Neil Richmond netted in added time.
"To be 4-0 down after 20 minutes is not acceptable," he said. "Take nothing away from Ware, they were the better side, but it was the manner of it that got me.
"Normally when goals go in like that you see players get angry and argue among themselves. They just seemed to accept it.
"I feel we underestimated Ware and we paid the price.
"It's very frustrating. We're doing the good side of football well, with the passing and things like that, but we're not doing the dirty work, like tackling and defending."
Wilson was hopeful that injuries concerns, Danny Barber (hamstring) and Neil Richmond (bruised foot), should be fit for Saturday's clash.
