Discipline is key for Heybridge Swifts boss Akurang

The Scraley Road side have begun the Ryman League North season with back-to-back defeats and two red cards.

Swifts fell to a 2-1 home defeat against Thamesmead Town in the opening game of the season on Saturday, which also saw Josh Fagbohun get his marching orders.

And Alberto Pinto was the next Heybridge player to see red in their 1-0 loss at Aveley on Monday night.

Akurang said: “I thought Josh’s red card on Saturday was harsh.

“Their player has come in and gone through him, there’s been a tackle and then from my angle it was a bit of play acting as they player has gone down.

“But from the referee’s angle, and that’s the one that counts, it looked different.

“Pinto’s first yellow card was a professional foul, it was a team foul their player would have gone straight through for a one-on-one with our keeper.

“But when you are on a yellow card you have to be careful and there was no need for the second.

“You have to maintain your discipline.

“That is something I am going to be hard on this season.

“The discipline of this team has to improve.

“You can’t lose control of your emotions.

“If people can’t keep their discipline in this team then I will show them the door.

“You can’t let your team down in that way.”

Despite the two defeats Akurang has seen things in his side’s displays that have given him hope for the season.

He said: “The results have been disappointing but the performances have been good.

“Key moments in games haven’t gone our way and that has been vital.

“But the signs are there that we are going to be alright.”

On Monday night, Liam Nash’s 65th-minute goal proved the winner for Aveley and a second defeat for Swifts.

But Akurang felt the decisive goal shouldn’t have been allowed.

Akurang said: “Against Aveley we hit the bar, had the ball cleared off the line and a goal just didn’t come.

“As I said decisions haven’t gone our way and that happened against Aveley.

“The ball wasn’t over the line so I don’t know how the officals could give it.

“But that’s football and you just have to get on with it.”

This Satuday, Swifts are back in league action as they travel to Soham Town Rangers.

Rangers fell to a 2-0 defeat at Great Wakering Rovers on the opening day and on Tuesday night they won 2-1 against visiting Waltham Abbey.

Akurang said: “It will be another tough game against Soham. You have to go to these teams and try and break them down on their own pitches which they know well and with the home fans behind them.

“This is a tough league, everyone is capable of beating everyone else.”