AFC Wimbledon boss Terry Eames could not hide his disappointment after watching his side crash out of the London Senior Cup to Barkingside on Wednesday evening.

The Dons paid for a dreadful second half display as their opponents ran out 3-0 winners at Kingsmeadow. It was the second defeat in five days for Eames' men and the boss was bemused by their poor showing.

Funny

"Football is a funny old game because we've put in two poor performances now after playing possibly some of the best stuff of the season against Godalming & Guildford a few weeks ago," he told the News

"The Barkingside match was a weird game but you go through these low points in a season and hopefully we can lift ourselves out of this blip."

The Dons could not break down a stubborn Barkingside defence and are making missing chances an unwanted habit.

Eames is unhappy with his side's inability to hit the target, but is wary about bringing new faces in.

"We're not taking advantage of our opportunities and we probably only score one in every seven chances, which is a problem," he said

"But Joe Sheerin is back in two weeks and Ally Russell returns in four weeks so if I bring people in now I'd be left with a selection dilemma."

New signing Noel Frankum came in for some scathing criticism from the boss, who is unhappy with his midfielders' level of performance.

Both he and Steve Lawson dropped down the leagues to join the Dons but neither have found their feet yet to the frustration of their manager.

"Noel has been terrible recently. After a good start on his debut he has been really ineffective for us," said Eames.

"Steve has been carrying a groin strain so we haven't seen the best of him but I'm hoping for a vast improvement from both players."

Lawson says he is enjoying life at Kingsmeadow.

"The lads have made myself and Noel feel very welcome," he said.

"The club has the most professional set-up I have been at and that is a credit to the hard work the fans have put in."

Last Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Hartney Wintney means promotion is very much out of the Dons' hands.

Consistent

"We need to be more consistent to be in with a chance of promotion," said Lawson.

"We need to be up for every game and go for the three points.

"But we need to start matches better and end the recent trend of going a goal behind in the first half."

The Dons face a local derby tomorrow when rivals Raynes Park Vale visit Kingsmeadow.

For Eames it is a chance to for the Dons to get back to winning ways and claw back points on leaders AFC Wallingford who are not in league action.

"I'm hoping we can give the fans something to cheer about again as that's why we're all in this game," he said.

"Things need to be put right and I want to get back to winning ways on Saturday."

l More on AFC Wimbledon on pages 62 and 63.

January 31, 2003 16:00