Royals manager: We keep shooting ourselves in the foot
“We keep shooting ourselves in the foot.”
That was the verdict of Portchester boss Gavin Spurway following another red card in midweek.
Leading Brockenhurst
2-1 in the Hampshire Senior Cup, striker Connor Duffin was dismissed just before the hour mark on Tuesday.
The game ended 3-3 with the Royals’ grip on the silverware loosened after Brock had won 4-2 on penalties.
It was Duffin’s second red card of the season, having also been sent off late on in last month’s FA Cup exit at Westbury.
Earlier this month, Portchester also saw James Cowan dismissed in a
Wessex Premier summit clash at Baffins. Leading 2-1 at the time of his red card, the Royals ended up drawing 2-2.
Talking about Duffin’s latest sending off, Spurway told his club’s media: “It’s another one of them … we’re comfortable in the game again … we said to the lads the other week, if we keep 11 players on the pitch we’re going to be alright in most games this year.
“But we keep shooting ourselves in the foot, giving opportunities for refs to make decisions.
“Unfortunately Connor gets sent off tonight, and it’s killed us really .. the sending off changes the game.”
Portchester remain one of only three unbeaten Wessex Premier clubs, along with Andover New Street and AFC Stoneham.
The Royals bid for a sixth win in seven outings at lowly Downton tomorrow.
The Robins have only won one of their six league games after being promoted, albeit an impressive 1-0 home success against Brockenhurst. They followed that up, though, by crashing 5-1 at Blackfield, who hadn’t previously won in the league.
Baffins Milton Rovers, who lost their unbeaten Wessex League record last weekend at Wincanton, travel to rock bottom Cowes Sports tomorrow.
US Portsmouth welcome Hythe & Dibden, while Fareham haven’t got a game as scheduled opponents Stoneham are the last remaining Wessex left in the FA Cup, welcoming three tiers higher Salisbury in the second qualifying round.
If we keep 11 players on the pitch we’re going to be alright in most games this year