DEVIZES Town manager Darran Walters likened his team to a ‘Sunday morning side’ as they were humbled 9-2 at home to bottom-of-the-league Almondsbury UWE in the Toolstation League First Division on Saturday.

Walters had a gut feeling that things were not going to go his way on Saturday morning when both of the club’s tractors broke down as they were preparing the pitch at Nursteed Road.

However, even he could not foresee what was about to unfold as Stuart Alexander helped himself to four goals for the visitors, with Jordan Yeo also netting a hat-trick to add to efforts from Jordan Davies and Ashley Knight, in what was described as a ‘shambolic performance’.

“We have conceded too many goals in the last couple of games and we’re not defending very well,” said Walters.

“The back five, including the goalkeeper, are making mistakes and we’re getting punished for them.

“We didn’t have a lot of luck on the day, although I’m not using that as an excuse.

“We hit the bar and the post a couple of times in the first half and nothing went our way.

“(In the) second half, it was pathetic and embarrassing. Defensively we were a shambles and we rolled over for them and were beaten by a stronger, fitter, more intelligent team.

“They had only won three games all season before Saturday and it seems complacency set in.

“The players were warned that it wouldn’t be an easy game beforehand but it was one of those days where everything that could have gone wrong, pretty much did.

“We apologise to the supporters who paid money to watch it. It was disappointing for myself as a manager and the way my players performed was not acceptable.”

Walters will now be looking for an immediate response in training this week as they prepare to host sixth-placed Ashton & Backwell United this weekend.

“I’ve got to take it on the chin and move on,” he added.

“I’ve got eight games left until the end of the season. It’s going to be tough and the morale has taken a bit of a beating at the moment.

“They have got to show some character and show that they want to play at that level because we looked like a Sunday morning side on Saturday.”

Calne Town were unable to prepare for their Wiltshire Senior Cup semi-final with Southern League First Division South and West side Swindon Supermarine at Hardenhuish Park on Wednesday night with a win as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to Wincanton Town at the weekend, while Malmesbury Victoria were held to a 0-0 draw at Radstock Town as they finished the game with 10 men.

In the Sydenhams League First Division, Pewsey Vale had the goalkeeping heroics of Richard Payne to thank as he saved two penalties in their 2-2 draw at home to Folland Sports.

It was an afternoon to forget for Rich Hunter’s Royal Wootton Bassett Town side in the Hellenic League Premier Division on Saturday as they were humbled 5-1 away to Flackwell Heath.