Report

“Heggan gutted but philosophical in defeat”

Hampshire Youth League – Division 2

Hayling Utd 2 Ringwood Town 1

Ringwood Town missed out on top spot to their closest rivals in this “winner-takes-all” match at Hayling College and ended the 2011/12 season as Division 2 runners-up.

All three goals in the game arrived in the first 29 minutes with the visitors falling behind on 14 minutes when Hayling scored direct from an inswinging corner.

Carl Terry equalised on 23 minutes when he was first to react as the home team’s goalkeeper parried Charlie Heggan’s rasping 20 yard free-kick.

Hayling Utd regained the lead six minutes later with a header from another long throw in the box.

This turned out to be the last of the goals. Ringwood adjusted and defended stoically against the continued aerial bombardment. Clear cut chances were few with Jack Clapham coming closest to an equaliser midway through the second half.

Despite valiant attempts to impose their passing game the hosts proved stronger and were resilient and overall deserved their victory.

Heggan’s verdict:

“First of all congratulations to Hayling United on winning the division. It turned out to be their day today.

“We’re all feeling absolutely gutted and disappointed we didn’t show how we can play and get the victory especially for the many supporters that had followed us.

“We didn’t do ourselves justice today, it was a poor performance from us, and unfortunately I have to say basically we were out-muscled and they worked harder than us. We found it difficult to combat their very direct style of play which they used very effectively. They got the ball into our box at every opportunity and it caused us problems.

“Disappointed we conceded from two very basic set pieces. They were very strong in the air and it took us half an hour to sort that out after which we competed much better.

“Going forward they were quicker to the ball, closed us down, and we struggled to move the ball on as we quickly as we should. Saying that we did create a couple of good chances but it was not to be.

“Really tough to take today but we’ll have to take it on the chin and I sure the lads will learn from it – just won’t feel like it at the moment!

“More important is promotion which I understand we’ve achieved and that’s important for the long term. Over the course of the season I think we’ve developed the players and as team we played a style of football we believe is right. We’ll continue to improve on this and I think we’ll be better off for it next season.”

Team:

Brady, Purdue (c), Baker, King, Deo, Terry (Sellick-Pilley, 57), Heggan, Nash, Clapham, B Harris (Twaddle, 72), Mullings (Oxford, 55)

Goals:  Terry (23)