ASCOT United FC are questioning the commitment of players after their under-strength side had lost 2-0 at home to Lydney Town on Saturday, writes Dave Wright.

Despite having around 40 players to call upon, they have been struggling to name a 14-man squad in recent games, forcing manager Jeff Lamb to play himself with assistant Paul McGrotty making the occasional appearance on the bench.

“That is not where we want to be,” admitted McGrotty.

“This is a good club and it’s a good league to play in, but the commitment levels (of players) are not really good enough.

“I can understand it happening one or two times a season, but not once or twice in the space of seven days.

“Certain players have to start taking things more seriously in my opinion.

“It is not just here as it is happening to other clubs as well.

“I find it amazing that people at this level (of football) don’t always want to play. Quite frankly that is disrespectful to their clubs, the people who work hard and those who do turn up each week.”

McGrotty continued: “We have used about 40 players this season and we’ve never had so many signed on.

“We are having to make up to seven or eight changes every game; I’ve never known anything like it and quite frankly it is really hard for us at the moment.

“It has to stop because we just can’t get any consistency.”

Ascot’s assistant manager, who was an unused substitute at the previous week’s 5-0 defeat at Ardley, had to take on the extra duty of ‘sponge man’ for the visit of Lydney following the departure of physio Natalie Stearn to Thatcham.

The reason given was that she “wanted a fresh challenge”.

The Yellamen’s defeat was their fourth in five games – having failed to score in all four.

They lost to the Gloucestershire side by conceding two identical goals in 12 minutes – with keeper Carl Dennison’s attempted clearances striking an onrushing opponent and rebounding back into the net.

McGrotty added: “The manner of the first goal just took the wind out of everyone’s sails; it was so disappointing, and then to concede another one exactly the same just sums up the way things are going for us at the moment.

“You could see the confidence drop out of all of us on the pitch as soon as that happened. We are not in a great mindset at the moment.

“We really need to be in front to get the confidence levels up.”

Ascot have also been missing hot-shot Charlie Samuels due to a seven-match suspension, which he incurred following five cautions for them, and a red card for his Sunday team.

Ben Knight, who hit seven goals in just two games last month, was also absent on Saturday.

United, who are ninth in the table, are hoping both players will return this week.

Ascot visit Burnham on Saturday (3pm).