ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE Clapton 0 Bethnal Green Utd 3 CLAPTON S scoring woes continued on Saturday as they again failed to convert their encouraging approach play into goals against high-flying Bethnal Green United, writes IAIN LIDDLE. Wilfred Thomas side

ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE

Clapton 0

Bethnal Green Utd 3

CLAPTON'S scoring woes continued on Saturday as they again failed to convert their encouraging approach play into goals against high-flying Bethnal Green United, writes IAIN LIDDLE.

Wilfred Thomas' side have now netted just nine times in 10 league outings this season, with three of those coming in a 5-3 defeat at Witham Town in August.

It was a familiar story for the Old Spotted Dog side at the weekend as they fell two behind after failing to deal with their opponents' early direct passing game, but got on top when both teams began to play a passing game.

Much like against Takeley, one-on-one chances were spurned by Clapton and their manager admits it is becoming a growing problem.

"It was a reasonable game, but they were not as good as I thought they would be," said Thomas.

"I thought they would be better than that, but they have a few good individuals. If we hadn't made our errors and took our chances we would have won."

He added: "I'm not looking for a striker, because we have them, I'm just looking for goals.

"I don't even bother with the defence in training anymore, just on scoring.

"Once they do start to come and the floodgates begin to open then we'll be hard to stop, but it's not happening at the moment."

Thomas felt aggrieved about United's first goal, which he felt was at least a yard offside, but admitted defensive errors were to blame for the other two.

The Clapton chief says his young players must toughen up and prove to the club's fans, of which just 15 attended on Saturday, they are worth paying to see.

"For the second goal the defender misjudged it and the ball went over his head," said Thomas.

"For the third goal, on 89 minutes, our right back tried to play his way out of the corner and lost the ball.

"He's young, as they all are, but I keep saying this isn't kid's football and you can't do that anymore.

"I would like to see more people at the games, but results will bring them back. People don't want to come to see a team who is losing."

Clapton visit fifth-placed Enfield 1893 in the Essex Senior League on Saturday.