HAMWORTHY United boss Simon Browne presided over another demoralising defeat before launching a blistering attack on Hayling United’s pitch.

Browne described the playing surface at Hayling College as “an absolute disgrace” and labelled it “a cabbage patch”. He also claimed it was “not fit for purpose”.

His damning assessment, which came on the back of a shock 2-1 reverse at the hands of bottom-placed Hayling, has been strongly disputed by Humbugs chairman Argyll McLetchie.

Browne’s men were sentenced to a sixth successive defeat after Hayling came from behind to register only their third league win of the season and their first at home since August.

“The pitch is not fit for the Wessex League or for any other level of football,” said Browne. “I know it may sound like sour grapes because we lost but I would have said the same if we had won.

“I have got players who I know can pass the ball but playing there would have brought Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool down to Hayling’s level. The rest of the facilities are adequate but the surface is an absolute joke.

“I am cheesed off that we lost but am not trying to be disrespectful to Hayling United as a team. It is just not acceptable to play on a surface like that and it applies to both teams.”

Browne, who played at the highest level in non-league, added: “In some respects, I have got a lot of time for the Hayling players who volunteer to play on that surface every week. If it was me, I would have given up at 16.

“The Wessex League is hot on one person standing in the dugout and people swearing, which they should be applauded for. There is a process in place for changing facilities and floodlights but there doesn’t seem to be anything about the standard of a pitch, which is ridiculous. It is not good enough and, the longer people put up with it, the longer they will get away with it.”

Although Browne’s men took the lead through Aaron Corby, Ash Fisher levelled for the Humbugs before Lee Tigwell scored from a corner after Hammers goalkeeper Simon Evans had misjudged his flag kick.

Responding to Browne’s attack, Hayling chairman McLetchie told the Daily Echo: “His comments are totally out of order. The pitch was absolutely fine and it was a well deserved win.”

And Hayling joint manager Gavin Keogh said: “It is not the best playing surface. But it was the same for both sides and we felt our performance deserved the victory. We wouldn’t seek to use the surface as something that helped or hindered us.”

Hammers: Evans, Yelland, White, Haysom, Lockyer, Corby, Whitcher, Chudy (Byrom, 80), Lanahan, Cannie (Currell, 75), Burbidge. Unused subs: Wyatt, Robinson, Murphy (g/k).