BASHLEY boss Steve Riley has apologised to his players for suffering from the “mid-table blues.”

Riley was so disappointed with his own managerial performance during their 2-1 defeat against Cirencester he made his feelings known to the rest of his camp before their trip to Cambridge.

Bashley had been beaten 2-1 at Cirencester and Riley said: “We were lacklustre against them because we’re mid-table and not getting into the play-offs or relegated.

“I was suffering from the mid-table blues during that match and I apologised to the players in training last week.

“I said my performance wasn’t good enough and I let our mid-table position affect it, which is not good.

“But I got some renewed energy at Cambridge and, hopefully, this is the start of the rest of the season for us.

“The boys responded fantastically by getting a point a Cambridge, who are challenging strongly to go up.

“It was probably our best performance of the season, although maybe not result. That was our 2-1 home win over Truro.

“Even Cambridge’s manager Gary Roberts said they robbed us by getting a point.

“It was a brilliant performance from my players, different class, and their goalkeeper (Zac Barrett) was man of the match. He kept us out. We threatened their goal for the whole 90 minutes and our keeper, David Elm, only had one save to make, otherwise he was just sweeping up behind the rest of the boys.

“Gary said over the two games we’ve played against Cambridge – we drew 1-1 at our place – we were much the better side.

“Now we have to take the confidence of Saturday’s performance into our home game against Halesowen next weekend.”

Striker Dave Allen, playing a deeper role, fired Bash in front from a Joe Collins cross before the Premier Division’s top goalscorer, Craig Hammond, grabbed his 24th of the campaign with a sizzling overhead kick.

Bash: Elm, R Hill, Oliver, Middleton, Whitley, Knowles, Smith, Mason, Allen, Gamble, Collins (T Hill 79). Unused subs: Ferrett, Murray, Brookes, Prodomo