Stand in boss hails players as Hadleigh get back to winning ways
By Derek Davis
27th Nov 2022 | Local Sport
Ben Elliott got his first taste of being in sole charge and was delighted with the way his depleted squad reacted as Hadleigh got back to winning ways with a 2-1 win at Brantham.
Elliott, who has been sharing managerial duties with Liam Scopes, since boss Steve Holder took a break due to illness, found himself at the sharp end as Scopes had to work as chef.
Added to that, Hadleigh were also without key players, including skipper Jack Baker, Ethan Clarke and Nick Punter due to a mix of illness, work commitments, injury and suspension.
Those who stepped up impressed and bossed Brantham in the first half but could not find a way past Matthew Walker in goal and when they did, it was ruled out for offside..
The Brettsiders got the breakthrough five minutes after the break when Angus Mills finished well.
That lead lasted just 10 minutes until two substitutions paid off for the Imps as Charlie Iglesias and Jose Santa De La Cruz paid off and the speedy winger finished expertly.
Hadleigh recovered from that wobble and Louis Bloom hit a cracker from 25 yards to secure their first win in four league games to stay fourth in the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties Premier Division.
The win put a huge smile on stand-in player-boss Elliott.
"Given we were low on numbers it was absolutely brilliant," he said. "We knew it was not going to easy away at Brantham and the players could have used it as an excuse but those here had to turn up and they did that.
"To come away with three points is fantastic."
Despite looking he better side there were moments of frustration for Hadleigh, not least when they were caught out midway through the second half.
Elliott said: "We dominated most of the game and could have been put to bed before half time but we stuck with it, didn't let our heads drop when we conceded and came away with the win.
"We gave the ball away cheaply for free kick and he (Jose) is so rapid and it was good finish.
"It has been the same the last couple of weeks when we could have scored more but today we dug in, ground out in the end with the goal and win."
Elliott challenged some of the squad players to give a selection problem and believes they rose to that.
He said: "It gives the boys a chance in midfield and they have given us a dilemma."
As well as two well taken goals from Mills and Bloom, Elliott was impressed with the defensive work of Harry Wales and George Bowman who kept the Brantham big men at bay.
Brantham finished with 10 men when substitute Alfie Owen Jones marked his return from illness with a nasty stamp on Regan Pelling who was shown a red card by referee Nicoleta Bria who handled a potentially explosive conclusion to the game well.
Elliott said: "It did get a bit feisty because Brantham also wanted a win. it was passionate and it got a bit spicy."
Brantham boss Pip Boyland was not happy with his players lack of effort at times.
"This is where we are at, said Boyland. "We get a draw away at Thetford last week with a really positive performance but today we were on the back foot.
"Players have got to turn up and as soon as you get on that grass you need to show a winning mentality.
"That is everything, tackles headers, the lot. You need to show bravery on the ball and you can't keep giving the back back to the,
"Had have good players, no doubt about that, they have creative players they have pace, but we we just keep giving the ball back it is going to be a long afternoon.
"We knew Hadleigh would come at us and we held them out first half, our keeper took responsibility and made coupe of good saves.
"But everyone has to take responsibility at this level, you can't get caught mooching around and too many times people got caught mooching around.
"Players walking round expecting things to happen, you can't good that. Players have to make an impact. It is not enough just to turn up because you like football and are quite good at it, they need to be at their best every game."
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