Horndean striker misses FA Vase defeat to Westbury after being told to self-isolate

Connor Duffin, right, missed Horndean's FA Vase loss to Westbury due to having to self-isolate. Picture: Keith Woodland

The day before the club were informed that striker Connor Duffin – the team’s top scorer in 2020/21 with six goals – wasn't available because of Covid-19 protocols.

Manager Michael Birmingham felt it was unfortunate but accepted the health of players and officials came first.

'Connor received an email from Public Health England on Friday that he had to self isolate,' said Birmingham.

'The week before we had played Shaftesbury and their goalkeeper had tested positive.

'He also informed the authorities that Connor had helped him up during the game and was named as a contact.

'Though our player had showed no symptoms, as a club we knew that we had to follow the letter of the law.'

Horndean, already without Tommy Tierney, Mark Smith and Steve Hall, then also lost centre half Jack Lee ten minutes before kick off with a calf injury.

Matters went from bad to worse for the hosts when they had Ash Howes sent off in the second half, for a second bookable offence, in a 1-0 second qualifying round defeat.

Birmingham had nothing but praise for his team despite their Vase exit.

'We were magnificent, ' he claimed.

'I can't speak highly enough of my players who competed well against a big, strong, powerful side.

'We made Westbury look very ordinary at times.

'Even after we went down to ten men they couldn't get out of their half.

'We got better and better after going down to ten men.

'The way we moved the ball was fantastic but we just lacked a final product.

'I couldn't have asked for any more.

'The players were gutted in the changing rooms after because they knew they had taken a very good side to the cleaners at times.'

Horndean were unlucky early on when Liam Bush saw his shot tipped onto the crossbar by the keeper.

Bush also went close in the second period after some excellent work from 16-year- old Zak Brownlie.

Brownlie burst to the by-line but Bush was muscled out at the last moment.

The Western League high-fliers scored the only goal shortly after half-time.