Hedderman left shell-shocked as Shipston are thrashed

SHIPSTON Excelsior manager Steve Hedderman said he was left “shell-shocked” by the manner of their 8-0 defeat to GNP Sports on Saturday.

Hedderman’s side endured a nightmare afternoon as the Midland League Division Three leaders ran riot at London Road.

Tom Rawlings and James Bryson both bagged braces, with the other goals coming courtesy of Charlie Cook, Joss Holford, Leigh Phillips and Ryan Price.

“I was shell-shocked,” said Hedderman.

“We were out-thought, outplayed and outclassed.

“They are the best team we have played this season by a long way. They hit us hard early and we were just like rabbits in headlights.

“We had fleeting chances, but we just weren’t clinical enough.

“The pitch was just about playable and we were hoping it would drag them down to our level. If it did drag them down, they were still miles better than us.

“They are like the Manchester City of our division — I knew they’d need to have an off-day for us to stand a chance, instead we were the team having an off-day.

“Sometimes you’ve just got to hold your hands up and say a better team completely outplayed us.

“It looked as though they had four players extra than us — they were that strong. The only positive was it wasn’t double figures.”

Shipston now turn their attention to this Saturday’s crunch clash with Alcester at London Road.

Hedderman fully expects his team to bounce back from last weekend’s dismal defeat, in a match he feels Shipson have to win to keep their season alive.

“It’s a must-win game against Alcester now,” he added.

“If we don’t win that one, I fear our season might peter out.

“I trust my lads to come back in the right way and show what they are capable of this weekend.”