A LACK of games proved costly for Breightmet United when they crashed to a heavy defeat at East Manchester, admits manager Paul Roberts.

In their first match since early November, the Bolton-based outfit lost 5-0 at the FBT Manchester League Division One table-toppers on Saturday.

Playing on a 4G surface, the leaders went ahead just before half time.

An injury to Osman Karakan in the first half meant Breightmet had to change their formation at the break and East Manchester took advantage of the disruption by adding two further goals midway through the half.

In the final 10 minutes the hosts took advantage of a tiring visiting side adding two late goals to put some gloss on the scoreline.

“They are flying at the minute,” said Roberts. “We’ve not played for a good couple of months and it showed.

“We started off really well. We contained them and had a couple of good chances.

“But unfortunately we conceded just before half-time which was a bit of a blow.

“It was disappointing but I think 5-0 was a bit harsh and flattered them.

“We gave them a good game for long periods, especially in the first half.

“The work-rate was spot on but the passing wasn’t as sharp as normal and the touch could have been a lot better. Their fitness told in the end.”

Weather permitting, sixth-placed Breightmet travel to Wilmslow Albion this weekend and Roberts is hoping his side can bounce back against a side just a couple of places below them in the table.

“We’ve just got to suck it up and go again,” he said.

“Our target is top six so we are on course for what we want to achieve this season.

“We are rebuilding from every angle at Breightmet United – the team and facilities.

“We want to stabilise ourselves this season and then next year we will be looking at a title push.

“We know we have the squad here to do it.”

Representatives from the FBT Manchester League were due to address the fixture congestion and recent flooding at a meeting last night, something Roberts hopes Breightmet can benefit from.

“We turned up at the club on Saturday to find the changing room roof had fallen through due to all the rain,” he said.

“I think the league are offering some funding support for issues like this so hopefully we will get a bit of help from them.”

Shocked CMB manager Phil Roberts believes his side got the “wake-up call they needed” after their unbeaten start to the season was emphatically ended on Saturday.

Playing their first game since November 5, the Division Two leaders crashed to an 8-4 defeat at title rivals Milnthorpe Corinthians in the only game to survive the weather in the West Lancashire League.

Playing on a 3G pitch, the visitors found themselves 5-0 down at half-time following some terrible mistakes.

A change-around at the break did improve things for CMB with goals from Nick Allen, Matty Carr and a brace from Will Archer, but it wasn’t enough to stop the table-toppers crashing to only their first defeat of the season.

“It was the strangest game of football I’ve ever been involved in,” said a stunned Roberts.

“They’d had five shots and scored five goals.

“We spoke at half-time about a bit of damage limitation and to the lads’ credit they showed great character in the second half.”

He added: “It’s the wake-up call we needed in my opinion”

Roberts will be hoping his side can get back to winning ways in the local derby at home to Bolton County on Saturday.

All the other games in the West Lancashire League were postponed due to the weather including Eagley’s trip to Longridge Town in the Premier Division, Tempest United’s home game with Lytham Town, Turton against Askam United and Ladybridge’s match at Wyre Villa in Division One.

Bolton County’s home game with Furness Cavaliers in Division Two was called off as was Stoneclough’s match against Millom.