Racers accused of taking their eye off the ball in the league

Racing Club went down to defeat in an instantly forgettable Midlands Combination Premier game at Townsend Meadow on Saturday, producing a performance which was some way removed from the one only which knocked Black Country Rangers out of the Birmingham Midweek Floodlit Cup only four days earlier.

The home side failed to test young Aaron Gayle in the visitors’ goal and were punished in the 73rd minute when Courtney Charles was left unattended to head home Green’s only effort of note.

Manager Lee Knight admitted the club’s three-pronged cup assault may have caused the players to take their eye off the ball in the league.

However, he said the lack of quality shown by his side was the most galling aspect of Saturday’s defeat.

“There was no lack of work rate or desire. But we’ve got players who can turn games on their head and there was a complete lack of quality in the final third.

“We know everyone is focused on the cup competitions but we still want to finish as high as we can in the league.

“The top half is the minimum requirement for the squad that I have.”

Racers return to cup action tomorrow when they travel to Division One side Stretton Eagles in the quarter-final of the Les James Challenge Cup.