HADLEIGH manager Stuart Crawford admitted to being proud of what his side had achieved during this season’s FA Vase run, but knew it could have been more.

HADLEIGH manager Stuart Crawford admitted to being proud of what his side had achieved during this season’s FA Vase run, but knew it could have been more.

Crawford could only watch as his side were beaten 2-0 by Tunbridge Wells in Kent on Saturday. It was a game they never got to grips with, much to his disappointment.

“I’ve told the boys I am proud of what they have achieved, but we had enough ability in that team to win today,” he said.

“We had a case for a couple of penalties early on and if we had got one or even two goals then it was a different game.

“But that’s no excuse. We were poor. It was as poor a performance as I have seen from the team for some while. We lacked ability on the ball and collectively we struggled.

“The boys will have regrets because I told them to leave nothing out there. But they have and they know it.”

Hadleigh’s man-of-the-match was keeper, Dan Heath. He was in good form throughout and had little chance with either goal.

“I’m gutted of course I am,” he said at the final whistle.

“We didn’t perform and we didn’t get the opportunities. There was a great atmosphere in the stadium, but we just didn’t do it.”

Shane Wardley, who has played in FA Vase finals with AFC Sudbury admitted: “For some reason we didn’t perform.

“The pitch didn’t help, but they played to their strengths.”

Meanwhile, with the music blaring from his side’s dressing room, Tunbridge Wells manager Martin Larkin enjoyed the moment.

“We had Hadleigh watched a couple of times and I wasn’t happy to see Scott Chaplin’s name on the team-sheet, as we knew he was a good player,” he said.

“But we worked hard throughout and no-one can say we didn’t deserve the win.

“We’ve got a Kent Cup semi-final next week to worry about before we worry about the next round of this competition.”

Tunbridge Wells drew Ascot United or Shildon in the semi-finals drawn on Monday afternoon. In the other semi, Spennymoor will play Walsall Wood or Guernsey.