Gulfer: We can work on fitness

Ilford Recorder: Liam Burgess of Romford holds off Luke With of Barkingside (pic: George Phillipou/TGSPHOTO)Liam Burgess of Romford holds off Luke With of Barkingside (pic: George Phillipou/TGSPHOTO) (Image: �TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468)

Barkingside manager Gursel Gulfer says his team will use the two-week break to give themselves the “best possible chance of survival” in the Ryman North after conceding a late goal in their 2-1 defeat to Romford at Ship Lane.

Luke With opened the scoring for Side with only 19 minutes to go, but Boro hit back through Joe Scott and the points look destined to be shared until Chinedu Mckenzie struck for the home side with just two minutes remaining.

The result means that Barkingside are now 12 games without a win, having picked up only two points during that time, and Gulfer believes his side deserved more for their display.

“Disappointed is an understatement,” said Gulfer. “We had that game under control for 80 minutes and we just switched off at the end.

Ilford Recorder: Barkingside manager Gursel Gulfer gestures at Ship Lane (pic: George Phillipou/TGSPHOTO)Barkingside manager Gursel Gulfer gestures at Ship Lane (pic: George Phillipou/TGSPHOTO) (Image: �TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468)

“Romford came back well to be fair, but worst case scenario we should have had a point! It’s really tough to take.”

He added: “There are positive to come out of the game. On the whole that’s the best we’ve played in a few weeks. I’ve made a couple of signings and they had their debuts and performed well. We know we’re in a dog fight and I just can’t believe the run we’re on.”

Barkingside are without a game for the next fortnight and Gulfer says his team will be using the break constructively before travelling to relegation rivals Wroxham on January 16.

“We need the break really and we’ll be training hard three times this week to give ourselves the best possible chance of survival. Fitness is an area we can work on,” he added.

Gulfer has urged his team to sustain their concentration in the fixtures ahead, but remains confident Side will avoid relegation this campaign.

“We’re switching off at key moments and that’s not just on Saturday,” he said.

“I am confident we will finish where we need to, but when the results don’t go your way then you start to wonder where the next win will come from.”