‘Health and safety must come first’ insists Ogilvie after five-trophy dream is put on hold by coronavirus crisis

Boss Ray Ogilivie shrugged off Harvest Home potentially missing out on a five-trophy season and insisted: I care more about health and safety.
Harvest Home's Jake Daniels scored a hat-trick in the 12-1 cup win over Meon Milton. Picture: Keith WoodlandHarvest Home's Jake Daniels scored a hat-trick in the 12-1 cup win over Meon Milton. Picture: Keith Woodland
Harvest Home's Jake Daniels scored a hat-trick in the 12-1 cup win over Meon Milton. Picture: Keith Woodland

The FA implemented a blanket ban on all grassroots football on Monday because of the Covid-19 pandemic, leaving the remainder of the Mid-Solent League season in doubt.

Harvest have had a storming campaign, winning all 22 matches they have been involved in across all competitions.

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Ogilvie's side remain on track to deliver an unprecedented five trophies in a single season.

But he is not bothered if the season is eventually deemed 'null and void' should the country overcome the coronavirus outbreak.

‘Life and health and safety should be at the forefront of all of our thoughts,' said Ogilvie.

‘I’ll be honest, for me personally it’s safety at all costs.

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‘Players who don’t shake hands at the beginning of a game, during the game you’re picking each other up, you’re patting each other on the back, you’re touching the ball and throwing the ball.

‘Unfortunately, footballers, adults and men, sometimes we've got to be treated like children.

‘Taking that away from us, we’re being protected.

‘I believe it’s going to go on a lot longer.

''I’m not sure if we’re going to see out the season. I’m not sure how it’s going to go.

‘This is going to hang around for a lot longer than two weeks.'

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If last weekend’s 12-1 Father Purcell Cup victory at Meon Milton is to be their last action this season, it was not a bad way to sign off.

Jake Daniels hit a hat-trick while Nathan Newer and Zak MacGregor both struck twice.

Nigel Moyo, Michael Jepson, Karl Davies, Michael Granger and Dale Clark were also on the scoresheet..

Ogilvie has his own theory as to how he wants things to pan out should a return to competitive football come sooner rather than later.

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He would like to see cup tiies completed but the Mid-Solent League award a point to each team for their remaining fixtures.

‘If I’m honest, I think a lesser person could have been sat there thinking ‘we could have won this or that,' added Ogilvie.

‘I’ll be honest, I don’t actually care.

‘The health and safety of the people is more important than any result or a cup.

‘I’ve had jokes with a few of my friends that it’s taken Covid-19 to stop Harvest Home because it’s the only thing that’s actually beaten us.

‘It’s frustrating for the lads.

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'If I was the league, I would try to continue with the cups.

‘We’ve got a couple of semi-finals and finals booked and they are great occasions, if you could manage that.

‘I’d give everyone a draw in the league, which would mean Harvest won it.'

Elsewhere in the Mid Solent League, Wymering were 5-2 winners against Burrfields - Brad White scoring all the goals.

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Second-placed FC Strawberry moved level on points with leaders Harvest Home following an 11-0 home triumph over lowly Horndean United. Saul Keating led the spree with a four-goal haul.

John Butler netted twice as Portchester Rowners defeated Rowner Rovers 4-2.

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