Littlehampton Town manager praises fans after FA Vase defeat

Manager Mitchell Hand was speaking after his side’s 3-0 defeat to Newport Pagnell Town in the FA Vase.

Newport Pagnell took the lead through Kieran Barnes’ fantastic half volley, before sealing the game in the second half with a goal from close range and a penalty.

While it was a hard result to take after a fine season, Hand said the town as a whole should be proud and hoped it was an enjoyable day out “despite the result”.

Littlehampton players applaud their 7,000 fans. Pictures from PA

He said: “They were unbelievable, the fact they were all still there at the end of the game. They could have started leaving and sneaking out the back door.

“Again, today was a celebration of our town. The fans that were there, they are cheering for the pride of their town, as well as their football team. We’re almost just a visual representation of the town.

“To give them that day out, we will look back on it with happy memories. It was a great day other than the actual result.”

In terms of the players’ reactions, he added that there was some disappointment but they will “pick the boys up”.

Some Marigolds fans before the match

He said: “The reaction is very much half and half, I think some of the boys are disappointed in their personal performances and I can understand that, I would feel the same way if I was out on the pitch. A lot of them feel very responsible.

“I think it will take a bit of time to sit back and actually look at the achievement we have this season. We will pick the boys up, we will be fine. It’s not the end of the world, we will all have a drink and celebrate and so we should.

“We have had an unbelievable season, it was just one step too far but that’s fine, we have done plenty this season.”

Ben Shepherd scores Newport Pagnell's second of the game

The Marigolds' cup journey started back in October in the first round where they beat Moneyfields 3-2. Since then, the Marigolds have edged past Deal Town and Sheppey United 2-1 and 1-0 respectively.

They lost 5-0 away to London-based Newham on January 15, but were reinstated after the home side fielded an ineligible player.

Littlehampton Town beat Brockenhurst 4-1 in the fifth round on penalties after a 3-3 draw in normal time on February 12. The quarter-final saw them beat North Shields after a late winner 79 minutes in on March 12.

They beat Loughborough Students 4-0 on April 2 in the semi-final.

They are the first side in Sussex history to reach the FA Vase final.