Garry fumes after Town's first defeat (From Braintree and Witham Times)

Garry fumes after Town's first defeat

4:38pm Thursday 30th August 2012 in Sport

WITHAM Town boss Garry Kimble has warned his players to “shape up” or risk being shown the exit door.

The Spa Road manager was left seething after a “dreadful” second-half performance cost his side a 3-0 defeat at Waltham Abbey, on Bank Holiday Monday.

It was the newly-promoted club’s first setback of the Ryman League division one north season, following eye-catching wins against Thamesmead and Wroxham and an 8-1 FA Cup romp at Great Yarmouth on Saturday.

However, Kimble was furious after his side’s capitulation and has demanded a positive response in Saturday’s league match at home to Harlow Town.

“The players have got to shape up in the next week,” he said.

“They need to pick themselves up and rectify things, because I can’t tolerate another performance like that.

“It wasn’t acceptable and was a bitter pill to swallow.

“I need a reaction and if I don’t get it, I’ll have to look to make changes because the boys let me down.

“We should have been four-up at half-time, having had some great chances to put the game to bed and a blatant penalty turned down.

“But in the second half we were so lacklustre.

“We made bad mistakes for their goals and didn’t get anywhere near the high standards we’ve set.

“Some of the players thought they could turn up and go through the motions and it was one of the worst second-half performances since I’ve been at the club. We were dreadful, caved in and looked lethargic.”

Kimble said the only players to emerge with credit were Lewis Godbold and Seb Murfet.