St Francis Rangers suffer huge defeat to Hailsham Town, but Stevens says decisions had a 'massive influence'

St Francis Rangers suffered a heavy 9-0 away to Hailsham Town.
Jack StevensJack Stevens
Jack Stevens

Scott Taylor scored four and a hattrick from Liam Baitup piled misery on the visitors in their sixth league defeat in a row.

Rangers still sit at the foot of the table in the SCFL Division One after the defeat, but manager, Jack Stevens felt the brutal loss did not reflect the performance from his players.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Stevens said: “The result on Saturday isn’t how our performance reflected.

“We had a great spell in the early parts of the game where we looked the better team. Only for the hosts to be gifted two sloppy goals by mistakes.

“In the second half, the game changed. One booking that was given to our player changed the mentality of the game. Although, the decisions didn’t make us concede seven goals in the second half they had a massive influence on the game, with two players being sent off for us.”

SEE ALSO New St Francis Rangers manager 'delighted' to get first chance at senior football | St Francis Rangers make eight new signings but suffer home defeat | Overton leads charge as Pagham hammer HassocksHailsham opened the scoring in the 23rd minute through Connor Townsend. 17 minutes later, Liam Baitup doubled the hosts’ lead. In the 50th minute, Scott Taylor got in the act, scoring his first and the team’s third.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Baitup got his second eight minutes later, with Taylor getting his second and completing the hattrick in the 70th and 85th minute respectively.

Jamie Salvidge made it seven three minutes from time. Baitup got his third in the 90th minute, and Taylor wasn’t finished as he scored his fourth four minutes into added time.

St Francis will host Sidlesham in the league on Saturday.