BURNHAM Ramblers boss Bertie Brayley believes it is time to make some hard decisions.

The Ramblers crashed out of the FA Trophy on Saturday when they suffered a 5-1 defeat at Leslie Field against visiting Brightlingsea Rovers.

Phil Kelly and Michael Brothers gave the visitors a 2-0 half-time lead before goals from Russell Malton, Ben Newson and Jake Holman made it 5-0.

Bradley Nobbs added a late consolation for the home side on 88 minutes.

Burnham were without a game on Tuesday night and now look forward to the visit of Thamesmead Town on Saturday.

Brayley said: “It was good not to have a midweek game.

“It gives me the opportunity to get out there and catch another game and look for players to strengthen the squad.

“Things are difficult. I thought we had turned a corner with the Sudbury game (a 2-1 defeat) at the end of September.

“We played really well and everything looked as if it was coming together.

“But that now looks as if it was a bit of a one-off and a smoke screen.

“We have had some heavy defeats and people have said that they were not 5-1, 4-1 performances.

“We have had some good performances but it isn’t enough.

“We have five or six players that can compete at this level and the harsh reality is that some of the rest aren’t really good enough to do that.

“This is no disrespect to those players, it’s just the truth.

“I need players who can be physical and give me 100 per cent effort.

“It’s time to get my magic wand out and see if I can get some more players.”

Looking ahead to this weekend’s visit of mid-table Thamesmead Brayley knows it is going to be another tough afternoon.

The Ramblers find themselves bottom of the table with only two wins and two draws from their 17 league games so far this season.

He said: “I am without my starting back four this weekend and midfielder Tyler Hayes has left the club.

“It’s something I can work around but it’s not ideal.

“Every game is going to be tough now.

“But it is tight at the bottom, three wins could push you right up the table and that is giving me some breathing space.”

Brayley added: “I have been tasked with keeping Burnham in this league and that is what I intend to do.

“I have given the players all the confidence I can.

“I have tried everything to turn it around.

“I can’t give any more than I have already done.

“It’s now down to me to go out and find the players that can help me keep Ramblers in this division.”