Clee Hill United 4 AFC Wellington 0

CLEE Hill manager Wayne Whitbread says this weekend's trip to table toppers AFC Broseley could not have come at a worse time.

Influential striker Ollie Smith, who scored a hat-trick against AFC Wellington last Saturday, will be missing for Whitbread's team in the Mercian League Division One match because he is on holiday.

Robbie Smith and Nick Wilding will also be unavailable for United leaving Whitbread's squad stretched.

"I am hopeful of welcoming back James Clifford, who is due to arrive from Australia, so as long as he is well, his availability will be a big bonus," said Whitbread.

"But this week's fixture could not have worked out more wrong for us.

"If we were playing, with all due respect, someone lower in the league, then we could copy because not having Ollie will be a big loss.

"But I know the lads will still give 100 per cent."

Smith was the star man for United last Saturday, with the win cementing their place in fifth in the league table.

He scored two of his goals in the first half and completed his hat-trick after the break with a 20-yard drive.

United then made it 4-0 with 25 minutes to go when Steve Preece followed up Adam Warren's saved penalty.

But, despite being pleased with the win, Whitbread was frustrated that his team did not score more goals.

"I was very pleased with the result after not playing for about a month and the players looked very keen," said Whitbread.

"We dominated the game for 90 minutes, but became a bit complacent after scoring the fourth goal.

"We played some terrific football with a lot of passing and moving, but we need to be a bit more deadlier in front of goal, rather than just accept the four goals.

"Wer didn't score in the last 25 minutes and seemed to shut up shop rather than going on and get a couple more goals."

Following this Saturday's game, Clee Hill do not play again until January 10.

Whitbread said the "stop-start" season his side have faced has been frustrating.

"If everyone is here every week then we can give anyone a game, but after playing for a month, we get another break after Saturday," he said.

"We just want to finish as high up the league as we can and push for promotion," said Whitbread.

"But to do that we know we cannot afford to lose any games."