O’Callaghan driven mad by Racing Club

Racers boss Curly O’Callaghan has vowed to battle on despite seeing his side’s losing sequence extend to six games with this FA Carlsberg Vase defeat in Shropshire.

With injuries and unavailability biting, the visitors were only able to name one substitute and looked in danger of kicking off with just nine men after a car-load of players were late arriving.

Thankfully, by the time the cup tie got under way shortly after 3pm they were able to field a full complement of players, but despite matching their opponents numerically they were still some way behind them in terms of ability.

“I can’t tolerate players turning up two minutes before kick-off,” said O’Callaghan.

“I’m just frustrated with the whole thing.

“It’s testing my resolve as a manager and it’s a real test for all of us.

“It’s going to take time effort and patience to get us where we want to be.”

It took until the 41st minute for Racers to register their first serious threat on goal, with Mark Anderson flicking a header just past the post.

However, the visitors were already 1-0 down by then after a Kev Tobin punch had been returned into the unguarded net by Ryan Guryn.

And a minute after Racers’ first sight of goal, Bridgnorth were 2-0 up, with Liam Bood nodding home from close range after Tobin had denied Kevin Buxton.

Tobin was called into action again in the 53rd minute to deny Buxton, but he was picking the ball out of the net four minutes later following the award of a soft penalty against Craig Richey for handball.

The Racers keeper guessed the right way but Jason Pike’s spot-kick was placed superbly to make it 3-0.

O’Callaghan introduced Raj Virk for Frederick Andrews in a bid to pep up his attack, but it was in defence where the problems continued to mount, Karl Griffith slotting home from close range to make it 4-0.

Bridgnorth substitute Clayton Johnson then scored the pick of his side’s goals, seemingly running away from the danger area before arrowing a fierce shot across Tobin.

Virk did pull a goal back for Racers with a neat finish after a defence-splitting pass from Flavien Chambaud and O’Callaghan was full of praise for the youngster’s cameo.

“He took the goal very well,” he said. “It was the only plus point to come out of the whole afternoon.”

Racers will look to arrest their slide when they entertain Brocton tomorrow, but will again be without influential midfielder Stuart Herlihy who is still two weeks away from fitness.

Mark Anderson is also unavailable due to work commitments, but Ed Kostiuk returns from holiday.