Wivenhoe Town manager Wayne Ward has praised the resilience of his young players as they look to break a six-game losing streak.

The Dragons face Needham Market in the Ridgeons League premier division at Broad Lane tomorrow and are expecting former West Ham legend Julian Dicks to attend the match to show his support for the club’s youngsters.

Things have been tough for Wivenhoe since former manager Richard Carter left in October and while they still occupy a place in the division’s top six, they have been sliding down the table over the last few weeks, as well as exiting the FA Vase and Essex Senior Cup.

Recent form suggests that it may be tough for Wivenhoe to get a result against Needham, having shipped 31 goals in their last six games and scored only two, but Ward is still full of praise for the young players who have turned out in the face of adversity.

“Needham are a good side,” said Ward.

“We played them in the second or third game after we took over, which was abandoned when we were winning 1-0, but they are a good team.

“I hope our boys keep their heads up. They have been getting drubbed every week, but they are young and forget results quickly so just keep coming back.

“It is the same situation as the club found itself in under Malcolm (Price) and Nick (Allston), where we have young players who should realistically be playing in a division lower than where they are.

“They have been chucked in at the deep end, but they keep coming back and I take my hat off to them for that.

“There are some great players here who just need time, but unfortunately we don’t have that time.”