Clanfield boss Blakely: Wrong offside call cost us dearly in defeat to Paulsgrove

In their first Hampshire Premier League game on Hawks’ new 3G surface, Field – after a bright start - had found themselves 2-0 down after 32 minutes.

Jake Hughes brought them back into contention, though, with a stunning 30-yard strike on 41 minutes before Mauro Morais had a goal disallowed for offside shortly after.

‘It wasn’t even close,’ said Blakely. ‘It was a really poor decision.

‘I’m not saying it would have affected the final outcome, but at 2-2 at half-time we have a completely different team talk.

‘It was a big moment in the game.

‘I thought we were the best side in the first half, but we didn’t show the same appetite in the second.

‘That’s the story of our season really. We can’t keep on playing for just 45 minutes or an hour, we’ve got to play for the 90 minutes.’

Their groundsharing deal with Hawks has given Clanfield the facilities to apply for promotion to the Wessex League.

It is now up to Blakely to compile a squad good enough to get them there.

That will be a hard task, up against the likes of Infinity, Bush Hill and Fleetlands. Those three clubs also have the facilities and, at present, better squads.

Clanfield’s weekend loss left them fourth bottom after seven games, with their only two wins against two of the teams below them.

‘I don’t know if we’re mentally strong enough,’ said Blakely. ‘We certainly can’t keep on giving goals away like we are.’

Clanfield had a pre-match blow when skipper Billy Asmore failed a fitness test, and they were also without Oli Amos.

One huge positive, though, was a crowd of over 200 for their first game at Westleigh Park.

‘Apart from the result, it was a great day,’ said Blakely.

‘It would be nice if we could get a following going. I think there were a few people there who normally watch Havant play.

‘We want to put ourselves more on the local map if we can.’