Inconsistency causes frustration for Dawlish
DAWLISH Town manager Jeff Evans condemned his side's toothless performance following their 1-0 defeat to lowly Melksham Town at Sandy Lane on Saturday.
The Seasiders are now winless in their last four Toolstation Premier games thanks to Daniel Harvey's late winner
Evans said: "We're a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde team at the moment. We seem to be either fantastic or absolutely terrible lately and sadly today we were terrible. We didn't get going at all.
"For some reason we just seemed clueless in front of goal which is a shame because we were just starting to get it together again.
"We were fine at the back and Craig Fenner had a good game. Luke Purnell (in goal) did well too and if it wasn't for those two it could have been a lot worse."
Although Dawlish seem safe from relegation, Evans said he wouldn't accept the players dropping their standards.
"I know we're coming towards the end of the season and it looks like there is not much to play for, but they still need to put in a shift," he added.
"There are a few youngsters coming through who are chomping at the bit to get their chance, and if anyone doesn't pull their weight then others are there to step in."
Melksham did have an early chance but Dawlish had the better of the first half. Radley Veale had a clear opportunity after Kris Davis played him in but his shot was blocked.
Striker Adam Mortimer had a shot cleared off the line and moments later had a strike pushed wide for a corner.
Melksham keeper Tom Drewitt then saved another effort by Mortimer and was keeping the visitors in the game before the break.
In the second half the tide turned for the Seasiders as Melksham came with wave after wave of attacks.
Keeper Purnell pushed Danny Lardner's header over the bar and needed to be at full stretch to block Nat Auckland's drilled free-kick.
Auckland then chipped a free-kick into the box but Melksham captain Kris Bailey headed wide with an open goal.
Veale's acrobatic effort was saved by Drewitt before Harvey volleyed in David Macey's corner in the 80th minute to win the game.
Dawlish have a busy few weeks ahead of them; they still have nine more league games to play before the end of April — including two this week.
They face Sherborne Town at home tomorrow night (7.30pm) having drawn 2-2 with them just last Saturday in the reverse fixture.
A Devon derby trip to Willand Rovers follows on Good Friday (1pm).
| 
