JOHN FOWLER was disappointed with the goals Whyteleafe conceded against local rivals Merstham on Saturday, admitting some players "gave up" in the second half.
Leafe took an early lead via a Jason Thompson penalty but Omar Folkes equalised before Osa Obamwonyi made it 2-1 to the Moatsiders on the stroke of half-time.
The next goal was vital and when Folkes made it 3-1, the floodgates opened with Folkes completing his hat-trick before Tom Howard made it 5-1.
And Whyteleafe boss Fowler was left to rue missed chances earlier in the game.
"We matched them for long periods of the game but in the second half we conceded the goals far too easily and didn't put them under enough pressure," he said. "In the first half, we had a couple of opportunities when it was 1-1 and I think we should have done better with them.
"I think if Merstham were in the same position then they would have taken their chances whereas we didn't.
"And maybe going in at half-time with a different score might have spurred us on in the second half.
"In the second half there were a few people who gave up towards the end.
"But credit to Merstham, they are a good side and that's what we aspire to. And if I had the resources they have then I might have the same.
"In all fairness, our objective is to stay in the league whereas they are under a bit more pressure than us - their objective is to get promoted."
Fowler had brought back to the club defender Dean Hamlin and striker Oliver Thornton, and is still looking for another forward.
"We are looking to strengthen. We need another forward," he said. "We are talking to someone but we aren't close to sorting anything out. At this time in the season it is pretty difficult to bring in a striker of any quality."
