UNHAPPY Stourport Swifts boss Mark Phillips fired a broadside at his players this week following their 3-0 defeat at Long Eaton in the Midland League Premier, writes Nick Pullen.

After a goalless first half, Swifts surprisingly succumbed following the break - much to Phillip’s displeasure.

He claimed: “I thought we were the better side in the first half and played really well - but we didn’t score.

“I told the players at half time to continue what they were doing and not to take their foot off the pedal and a goal would come.

“Instead we conceded a penalty within 30 seconds of resumption and stopped playing from that point.

“The penalty gave Long Eaton additional motivation. They’d obviously had a talking to at half time, came out and upped the tempo.

“We’d kept possession really well in the first half, but as soon as we went behind, we stopped doing that.

“It was certainly a game of two halves, as though somebody had flicked a switch.

“I can’t be having a team that wilts just because they lose a goal. We’ve got to have more guts than that and I really told the players afterwards. The second half display was simply unacceptable.”

Swifts’ cause wasn’t helped when they lost key defender Paul Hurrell in the first half through injury and he looks set to miss their December 26 trip to Coleshill Town and the January 2 clash with local rivals Lye Town at Walshes Meadow.

Phillips has also signed one time Halesowen Town player Matt Fulloway who spent last season at Bilston Town Community in the West Midlands League.

Fulloway hasn’t featured so far this season owing to his Gloucester University commitments.