Boss Adam Hinshelwood reflected on Selsey’s unlucky cup-final defeat to Rye and told his players: Use your performance to spur you on to greater things.
It was a classic case of the scoreline not telling the story after the Blues took the game to their higher-placed opponents only to be undone by a penalty in each half.
Selsey had most of the possession but couldn’t turn it into goals, and were aggrieved at a ‘lack of protection’ from referee Marc Meeten which, had they had it, could have brought about a different outcome.
Hinshelwood told the Observer: “I didn’t know what to say to the lads at the end of the game.
“We were the best team on the night in most people’s eyes and at times we passed them off the pitch.
“Throughout the first half and, in particular, in the first 15 minutes of the second half we were creating chances and putting them under pressure.
“Their second penalty changed things but we still had a good go. I couldn’t really have asked for any more.
“What I have said to the lads is they should take pride in the performance and take it into the last game of the season this weekend and into next season, when hopefully the bulk of the squad will still be together.
“If a good display in a cup final can’t spur them on, nothing can.
“It’s gutting when you play so well and lose, especially in a cup final. The cup would have been just reward for the effort they’ve put into the season.”
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