JOINT-BOSS Paul Smith has urged Highgate United to be more clinical in front of goal and declared: “Somebody is due a hiding from us soon.”
The call to be more ruthless in front of goal followed Gate’s 1-0 victory over AFC Wulfrunians in the FA Cup extra preliminary round on Saturday.
Lei Brown’s 78th-minute strike was enough to fire United into the next round in which they will play host to Leicester Road on Saturday, August 25.
Although delighted with the result, hard-to-please gaffer Smith wants to see his side finding the back of the net more often.
“We were not quite at it on Saturday but it was a very workmanlike performance,” he said.
“If we had taken our chances we could have won the game more comfortably.
“Not taking our chances is our biggest crime at the moment.
“Although we beat Sporting Khalsa 2-0 in the league last Tuesday night it could easily have been four and five, similarly on Saturday it could have been a lot easier.
“But I have to give credit to our defence, in particular Sam Oji and Richard Bryan, as they have been colossal to help us keep three clean sheets on the bounce.
“Clean sheets are vital if we want to win things, like the league, but we need to start taking more of our chances and I do believe somebody is due a hiding from us soon.”
New-boy Jamie Clarke made his debut on Saturday after the striker signed on Friday after Bromsgrove Sporting decided not to offer him a deal, despite a successful pre-season.
“I was very surprised Bromsgrove did not take him on so I was delighted to get him on the books here,” said Smith.
“He had a baptism of fire on Saturday by playing with lads he doesn’t even know but he will bring that pace we need because the likes of Marco Adaggio and Lei Brown like to hold the ball up and not run in behind defenders.”
Highgate return to Midland League Premier Division tonight (Wednesday) when they entertain Westfields before making the trip to Long Eaton United on Saturday.
