AFC Liverpool manager Phil Stafford has rued their FA Cup defeat as a bad day at the office.
The Reds were soundly dispatched by an inspired Lower Breck as they suffered a forgettable 5-0 home defeat.
A catalogue of hurdles were placed ahead of the local cup derby and factors on the day proved to add further misery on Stafford’s side.
“It was a bad day at the office. We were waiting on international clearance on two that didn’t come through on time, both full-backs were cup tied so we were down a few numbers,” he admitted, speaking to Off The Park.
“We were 3-0 down at half-time, silly mistakes, and gone for more attacking options but Mark Madden has broke down then my centre-half has got concussion and finish the game with 10. Just a bad day at the office, one of them days.”
Following their sobering defeat, the AFC Liverpool detailed how he has looked to restore the high spirits as they look to put a run together in the league.
Stafford said: “We got them in this week and we got the atmosphere back, we spoke about it, addressed it. We’ve regrouped and we’re looking forward to moving ahead now.
“We got them in early in the week to get them laughing and get the morale going again. It is a new and young group as well, you need your experienced lads to come through as well.”
Ramsbottom United visit Rossett Park following their relegation from the Northern Premier League West.
Steve Wilkes’ side are looking for their second win of the season, they currently sit 12th on four points after the opening three games.
AFC have been bolstered by the return of some of their ineligible players plus a handful of new arrivals.
He said: “They’ve got a manager in Wilksy that has heaps and heaps of experience – it’s not going to be easy but if we get the lads in that we’re looking for, plus the lads who were cup-tied last week, that’s five players and it’s a big difference to side.
“I’m more confident than I was after Saturday now that I know was coming in, so I’m looking forward to it now, just want to get back on the pitch, to be honest and get it out of the system.
“We’re never going to win the FA Cup, although it sounds stupid, it was a free-hit. It just hasn’t happened but we go again on Saturday and I’m looking forward to it. We’ve beat Skem and had two good attendances which is positive, hopefully we can get the right result.
“Sides are going to beat sides this year, if you can get a run of games you can get on a decent run, you could get up there in the top six. But first and foremost we want to get back to winning ways and put our wrongs right from Saturday.”
[Featured image: Dave Williams]
