Heacham coach says FC Parson Drove defeat was 'worst performance' of the season

Heacham coach Seam McQuaid said the 3-0 defeat by FC Parson Drove was their worst performance of the season.

Visiting Drove picked up their first win for five weeks with goals from Kyial West (2) and Scott Waumsley at the Heacham Sports Field.

All three goals conceded against their Cambridgeshire visitors were avoidable as the Magpies turned in their worst defensive display of the campaign.

The Magpies, who drop a place to second in the Thurlow Nunn First Division North table, just didn't get going and weren't helped by the sending off of midfielder Alex Clunan on the stroke of half-time.

A disappointed McQuaid said: "That was probably our worst performance, both as a team and individually, this season.

"We started slow and never really got going. We've gone behind a few times this season and nicked a goal back towards half time.

"We'd normally back ourselves to come back in the game but when you're 2-0 down and down to 10 men as well, it's going to be an uphill battle from there.

"We've flipped the script a few times this season but we left ourselves with too much to do."

"I don't think any player can look at themselves and say they had a good game today."

McQuaid had no complaints over the dismissal of Clunan for a clear headbutt on Harrison Taylor on the near touchline.

"As soon as it happened I think everyone in the ground knew it was going to be a straight red," admitted McQuaid.

"It was just petulant and silly. Alex is a senior player in the squad and knows that he has let himself and the team down.

"He's normally calm and composed, but it was just a moment of madness."

The only positive to come out of the game for the Magpies' coach is that his side didn't fold in the second half after making a triple change in personnel at the interval.

"We tried to encourage the players and told them to believe in themselves at half-time," he said.

"Although we didn't work their goalkeeper enough, we created a few half-chances after the break and the it was pleasing that we didn't fold.

"The substitutes coming on in difficult circumstances when we were down to 10 was a positive as we kept battling.

"It wasn't to be but all of our subs had a good crack at it."

Elsewhere yesterday, Dowmham Town maintained their push for a play-off place with a 3-1 victory over Haverhill Borough.

Jack Prentice (2) and Jake Miller were on target for the hosts at the SCL Memorial Field.

In the Premier Division, Fakenham Town's defensive woes continued with a 5-3 reverse at Ipswich Wanderers.

Ash Jarvis (2) and Jack Robinson both found the back of the net for the Ghosts.