BOSS Wayne Lockey was spitting feathers following Ringwood Town’s 2-1 defeat by Wessex League Division One rivals East Cowes Vics.

Lockey described Ringwood’s performance on the Isle of Wight as “shocking” and told his players in no uncertain terms.

“They let us down and they let themselves down,” said Lockey. “I don’t know whether it was down to over-confidence but I think they thought they had the game won at half-time.

“We dominated the first half and hit the bar twice, had three cleared off the line and missed two one-on-ones.

“The second half was a completely different story. They almost scored from a corner straight after the restart and it went downhill from then until we decided to play again in the final 15 minutes. We had the majority of the play but they hit us on the break twice and scored two good goals.”

Second-half efforts from Andy Ebbs and Will Sturgess gave Vics a 2-0 lead before Nick Howes bagged a late consolation for Ringwood.

Ringwood: Page, Pierson (T Yeates, 75), Burge, Morrell, Leadbetter (Cooper, 66), Clark, Heatherington, Burrett, Howes, Burnett (Thompson, 75), Fleet.

Ringwood’s trip to the Island was one of only four Wessex League clashes to escape the Arctic conditions.

In the Premier Division, Blackfield & Langley beat Brockenhurst 3-1 at Gang Warily, while Newport (IoW) edged past Romsey Town 3-2. Also in Division One, Amesbury Town won 3-2 at Hythe & Dibden.