‘We owed them one’ – Locks Heath celebrate victory over ‘flat’ Fleetlands in opening L4 Teamwear Cup tie

Fleetlands striker Kelvin Robinson in action against Locks Heath. Simon Stone is on the right. Picture: Tom Phillips.

Striker Jordan Whiteley scored an early winner against his former club at Lederle Lane.

And assistant manager Whitfield was relieved to get a bit of revenge after Fleetlands had beaten his side 4-3 and 1-0 in the curtailed 2020-21 Hampshire Premier League Senior Division season.

He said: ‘As expected, everyone was a bit rusty. Both teams put in everything, put in 100 per cent, but the quality of the game was lacking a bit.

Locks celebrate Jordan Whiteley's early winner at Fleetlands. Picture: Tom Phillips.

'It was good to get back out there again and it was great to get a win. We owed them one, really.

'It was probably the worst we’d played against them (this season) and yet we won so you’d take it, especially against your local rivals.

‘Both teams were in the full swing of things (when they last met) and the quality was a lot higher.'

Heath's next three matches in the competition are at home as they welcome Hayling United (Wednesday), Moneyfields Reserves (April 17) and Fleetlands (April 21).

Bryn Mckie on the ball for Fleetlands against Locks. Picture: Tom Phillips.

Fleetlands boss Rich Bessey said: ‘It was flat, very flat.

‘Matt Andrews missed an absolute sitter for us, you’d have bet your house on it - but the ball went over his foot.’

The Coptermen return to cup action at Moneyfields Reserves on Wednesday (7.45pm).

Bessey will be without top scorer Kelvin Robinson and suspended pair Tommy Woodward and Wayne Boud, and has called up five members of the reserve squad who currently top the Hampshire Combination East Division.