Boss Pablo Asensio refused to make excuses after Whitehawk slumped to an opening day defeat at Weston-super-Mare.

Traffic problems meant the Hawks only arrived 30 minutes before kick-off after a six-and-a-half hour journey and their pleas for a 15 minute delay were turned down.

Whitehawk took the lead after 16 minutes when Mike West’s cross was turned into his own net by Jason Pope but the hosts fought back to win 3-1.

Asensio said: “We left at 8am but there were two accidents on the way and we got stuck in traffic.

The Argus:

Mike West is congratulated for his part in the own goal

“We phoned a match official who agreed to put the kick-off back to 3.15pm but when we arrived the referee said we had to start at 3pm.

“The players only had ten minutes to warm up but we still played really well in the first half and had about 85 per cent possession. We conceded a sloppy equaliser just before half-time which affected the players mentally.

 

“I don’t want to make excuses but it wasn’t the ideal way to start the season. So many things went against us but if we play like that then we will win a lot of games this season.”

Asensio is set to complete his squad by signing a forward and a winger in the next 24 hours but is unsure whether they will receive international clearance in time for Wednesday’s home game against Dartford.