‘We were upset at winning 5-0’ insists Hayling boss after eighth successive Hampshire Premier League victory

The Humbugs remained on course for their highest finish since winning promotion to the HPL top flight in 2016 with a 5-0 romp at lowly Locks Heath

‘We’re grateful for Locks Heath getting the game on, but the pitch was difficult to play football on.

‘There were only a few times we could put five or six passes together, and that’s unlike us.

‘It was strange that in the dressing room we were a bit upset at winning 5-0.

‘It’s not all about the result for me, it’s important that we always try and play football.

‘But we won 5-0, we had five different scorers, a clean sheet and another win - so it’s not that bad actually!

‘We also had to change the way we played - our top two scorers Dan Goodsell and George Rough weren’t playing and both of those like the ball into their feet.

‘Instead, we had two lads up front who prefer to play off the shoulder, so we went a bit more direct than we normally do.’

Hayling still have title-chasing pair Infinity and Bush Hill to play at home - two chances to have a say in the destination of the title, providing coronavirus does not prematurely bring 2019/20 to a close.

‘I really, really want to play those games,’ Bishop added.

‘Not for my own ego, but to see where we are as a team. Those games could decide whether we stick with this group for next season or look to bring some new players in in the summer.’

Shane Lovell took over as Locks boss a few weeks ago from Tom Best, and is still waiting to celebrate his first win.

He acknowledged that luck was not with his men against Hayling, with most of referee Adam Kennard’s big calls going against them.

In addition to conceding two penalties, Locks had Jon Stevens sent off and were annoyed Hayling skipper Elliott Spencer was not red carded in the first half.

‘The second penalty was certainly debatable,’ said Lovell. ‘With the first one, we gave the referee an easy decision to make by our players not staying on their feet.

‘I thought their defender (Spencer) could have been shown a red card as he was the last man. If Lee Carvell had got past him he would have been clear on goal.

‘I also couldn’t see why he sent one of our players off for going head to head with one of theirs - but then I don’t think he (Kennard) was going to send any of theirs off all game.

‘They say the luck evens itself out, but I don’t expect us to get the sort of luck that went against us today.

‘It’s nothing new - last week we played Liphook and lost 2-0 and 3-1 leads (to draw 4-4). One of their goals came when the ball hit the ref, he didn’t stop play, and they went and scored.

‘But I still think if we can play like I know we can, we can finish outside the bottom two.

‘We played Infinity on a day we only had three defenders available and we could have beaten them. But we haven’t been able to replicate that form since.’