AS Steve Riley watched his young AFC Totton braves trounced 6-0 at Mangotsfield United, he wanted to be out there with them lending a guiding hand.

Generally, his players have competed well this season in the Southern One South & West.

But, on occasion, their lack of experience and strength in depth can be brutally exposed, as happened at Cossham Street on Tuesday.

With Nathaniel Sherborne, James Jennings, Steve Hollick (all work), Jamie Blackburn (exams) and Zac Mouland (injured) all missing, their squad was light to start with and the cracks began to appear when midfielder Liam Gilbert limped off after 20 minutes with a turned ankle and was yesterday on crutches with strained ligaments.

The Stags were 3-0 down by the break and suffered a repeat dose of punishment in the second half after defender Stuart Mott had bowed out, also with an ankle injury.

They were clinically outgunned but Riley could not bring himself to be angry, admitting: “Men against boys sprang to mind and I felt for our lads playing against ex-Chippenham players with experience and know-how of this level and above.

“Mangotsfield played their pitch well and fully deserved their victory, but the game highlighted our naivety and the lack of depth in the squad.

“I felt for our lads. They needed a few old heads out there to help them, but we just haven’t got that.

“Chris (Ferrett, assistant manager) and I felt like we wanted to be out there talking them through the situation.

“Experience costs money and we’re not in a position to bring in bags of it.

“We were five players down before we even started and it was always going to be tough out there, but none of the lads shirked responsibility and the attitude and spirit was spot on against a strong side who are full of players who have been around a bit.

“We switched off and got punished from set-pieces, but you can’t sit back and say ‘it’s not good enough’ or point the finger at anyone because the lads gave it their all.

“To get results we need our strongest side with fit players.

“We had Drew Bridge back from uni and we had to change the system a bit because of the players we had out.

“Two young lads, Jake Burgess and Jake Rawkins, came on for their debuts and did ever so well, but it sums it up that Mangotsfield’s captain is ex-Bristol Rovers!

“But it’s gone now and we’ve got to dust ourselves down and go again tomorrow at home to Cinderford.”