Shipston boss Hedderman praises players after 'horrendous' cup defeat

SHIPSTON Excelsior boss Steve Hedderman praised his understrength side despite a heavy Les James Challenge Cup defeat at Enville on Saturday.

Hedderman’s side crashed out 9-1, in a bizarre game where all ten goals arrived in the second half.

Rhys Morgan led the onslaught with four, with the other strikes coming from Jake Fairhurst (2), Max Lingley-Churchill, Jack Martin, Connor Rich and Alex Byatt. Nick Shurmer netted in vain on a day to forget for a severely depleted Shipston side.

“It was just horrendous.” said Hedderman.

“Some people feel embarrassed about it, but none of the 13 players that turned up should feel embarrassed.

“Some of the ones who didn’t turn up should feel embarrassed. We had three goalkeepers playing and our first choice was up front.

“There was some schoolboy defending and six of the nine goals they scored were hideous.

“I don’t like losing and I certainly don’t like losing like that, but I can’t criticise the players who were out there. They gave everything, fought for the shirt and all credit to them. They should hold their heads up high.”