United boss hopeful despite defeat
HAYLING United manager Lee Paul was far from down after his team were knocked out of the FA Cup when they lost 2-1 to visitors Blackfield & Langley, on Saturday.
Paul, who has had a major job on his hands rebuilding the Humbugs after Mark Poulton's departure to Chichester was accompanied by the departure of 11 senior players, was pleased with his team's performance in their first home match of the season.
The school PE teacher said: "The lads put in another good performance and all we need is a result.
"They showed great commitment and are starting to gel as a team."
Steve Black fired in a 20-yard first-half equaliser for United but the visitors grabbed a second 15 minutes from time.
The Extra Preliminary Round tie was the first-ever FA Cup tie to be played at The College Ground, after the club made their debut in the world's oldest knockout cup competition 12 months ago.
Work on the problematic pitch which had more than a dozen postponements last season meant United had played all their early season league fixtures and friendles away from home to give the new grassed areas of the pitch time to bed down.
As well as bedding down his new side, Paul, one of the youngest managers in the Wessex Premier League this season, will have to wait to see how the new playing surface progresses.
This weekend Paul's side face another massive test when they travel to Sailsbury to face Bemerton Heath Harlequins, one of the top six sides in the division.
Hayling have also been drawn at home in the FA Vase and will face Shoreham from the Sussex County League in the First Qualifying Round on September 4 (KO 3pm).
Before then, United face two more away trips in the league, traveling to Winchester City on August 28 before facing Alton two days later on the August Bank Holiday Monday.
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Weather for Hayling
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
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Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
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