RICHARD Fey described Saturday’s 5-0 humbling at Shortwood United as ‘a bad day at the office’ – but refused to criticise his young side.

The Robins’ preparations were not helped by an accident on the M5, which meant they didn’t arrive at the ground until 20 minutes before kick-off – and Fey said the defeat will act as a learning curve for his players.

He said: “Saturday was a bad day at the office – a bad day all round.

“It started off with the coach arriving at 2.40pm after the M5 was closed at Weston-super-Mare due to fuel tanker tipping over – and to avoid a fine for the club for a late kick-off, I agreed to kick-off at 3pm-ish.

“So we didn’t have time to prepare and only warmed up for five minutes.

“Having said that, they fully deserved their win and punished our mistakes.

“I’m not going to criticise my young lads because it was a learning curve and it’s only our fifth loss in the last 18 league games and sometimes you have got to hold your hands up.

“We created chances with Knighton, Griffiths and Chamberlain having good chances – but they had a young lad on the wing called Marley Thomas and it showed why league clubs are watching him as he had a hand in four of the goals.

“We’re all disappointed and I fully expect them (Shortwood) to be around the play-offs after benefiting from a great FA Cup run last season and televised game against Port Vale.”

Town travel to Weston-super-Mare tonight (Tuesday) in the Somerset Cup – and Fey has urged his players to relish the chance to take on a team from a higher division.

He said: “Tuesday is another hard game against a team two leagues higher but it gives a chance for the lads to come in and take the opportunity.

“Our big week starts Saturday when we play Bishops Cleeve away and even, though they are second from bottom, they have signed some good players in the last few weeks and won their first game in a while against Swindon Supermarine on Saturday, so it’s again going to be tough.”

Bridgwater follow up that match with a home fixtures against Wimborne Town next Tuesday (ko 7.45pm).