Newing: "They deserved to win the game" (From Enfield Independent)

Enfield Town boss Steve Newing accepted his side were second best against East Thurrock United

9:57am Tuesday 8th January 2013 in Sport By Adam Newson

Steve Newing admits his Enfield Town side are having a "tough time" after the Towners suffered a 2-0 defeat at East Thurrock United - their fifth straight Ryman Premier League loss.

Newing’s men started the contest brightly and came close to going ahead in the fifth minute.

Liam Hope found space to direct a header towards goal and his effort beat goalkeeper Elliot Kustham only for the crossbar to deny the striker.

It proved costly for Enfield as midway through the opening period the Rocks went ahead as Sam Collins tapped home after good work from Reiss Gilbey.

The advantage was doubled before the break as Davids Bryant forced the ball past Noel Imber.

Enfield remained out of sorts in the second period and although they created chances, they failed to really trouble the hosts.

The defeat leaves Newing’s side 20th in the table and the Towners’ boss acknowledges results must improve if they are to move away from the bottom of the division.

He said: "East Thurrock were better than us over the 90 minutes and they deserved to win the game.

"If Liam Hope’s header had gone in rather than hit the crossbar then it could have been a different game for us and we might have got something from the game.

"We are having a tough time of it and have lost the last five matches. We have only taken one point from the last 21 on offer and that has seen us slide down the table.

"The teams around us have picked up some points while we have had our poor run so we are right back down there in a dogfight."

He continued: "We have played a lot of the teams looking for promotion in that run but we will be battling relegation unless we can put a run of results together, which we have done earlier in the season.

"We have lost a lot of games and haven’t had many draws where we could have picked up a few points.

"So maybe we will have to change the way we play slightly if we are to make up the points on those above us in the table."

Enfield bolstered their squad with the signings of Joe O'Cearuill and Scott McGleish on New Year’s Day and the former Leyton Orient striker scored on his debut for the club.

Both O'Cearuill and McGleish add experience to the Towners side which Newing believes will be invaluable.

He said: "Scott is a goalscorer and even though he is 38 he has a great energy and work ethic on the pitch. He has scored more than 200 goals in his career and has made more than 500 appearances.

"Many of those goals and appearances have come in the Football League and he will also bring great experience to the side.

"Hopefully, for us, nobody comes in for him during the season and he will prove a good signing for us."

Newing added: "Joe has also played in the Football League so the two signings will bring invaluable experience."