KINGSCLIFF coach Andrew Kirby has blasted his JH Williams premier league hockey side, saying it is throwing games away and not playing to its potential.

Speaking after his side's 3-1 loss to Murwillumbah at the weekend, Kirby was not a happy man.

“The game was theirs to win but we threw it away with a lack of structure,” Kirby said.

“We seem to have a self-destruct button, which is triggered by minor things and totally destroys us every weekend.”

Kirby said his team was much better than the players thought and he wanted them to unleash their talent against the cellar-dwelling Redbacks on Saturday.

“I'm disappointed with my team because I believe we are playing way below our potential,” he said.

“It's as if we have no confidence, which is a shame, because I believe I have a team of exceptional hockey players, which on their day will beat any team. But unfortunately that day seems a long way off.”

There were some positives.

“I think our defence in the last two weeks has really clicked together,” Kirby said.

“In particular Mathew Prichard and Kelvin Jordon in the goals and Jason McKinnon at right half is a quiet achiever, who saves us all the time.

“I just hope our midfield can connect with our forwards and start turning it all around, because I truly think that when this happens we will be a real force in this competition.”

Kirby wasn't taking anything away from Murwillumbah.

“They played great hockey and deserved the win. Chris Stuart was their best, with great leadership in the centre.”