NEW College huffed and puffed, but Joe Eyre was ultimately their undoing as they lost out 1-0 to Hook Norton at the Webb’s Wood.

Eyre struck early on in the first half for the visitors, leaving the students with plenty of time to get an equaliser.

Goals have been a problem for Ian Howell’s youngsters though. Only three teams in the division have scored less than New College’s total of 38.

The lack of bite again proved to be their undoing as, despite hitting the bar, they could not force an equaliser.

Howell admitted the shortage of goals had seen the students fall short of his ambitions, not least in Saturday’s defeat.

“It was quite tight,” said Howell. “They (Norton) scored from a mistake from one our lads at the back, a misplaced back pass that gifted the ball to their centre forward.

“We got into the game a little and had a couple of opportunities. Jordy Wilkins hit the bar after a good little move to get him in on goal just before half time.

“In the second half we competed well, defended a bit better and got ourselves into the game.

“We just lacked a little bit creatively in the final third. Some of our lads, who have been out injured, came back into the fray. Christy Miller and Jack Payne started, but weren’t able to last the 90 minutes.

“They’re quite influential players and as they came off we knew we were going to be a little bit up against it.

“It was a bit of a lack of creativity and bit of a lack of confidence as well.

“A draw would have been a fair reflection of the game. We definitely didn’t do enough to win, but they didn’t create too much to win the game.

“We defended well and looked quite solid, unfortunately we’re lacking a bit up front and that’s been the story for the second half of the season.”

With just two games left the remainder of the season, the Students’ focus switches to preparing for the next term.

On Saturday, a number of the New College’s younger first teamers were fielded with their under 18s to get them used to each other’s company.

Howell is still hoping for a strong end to the campaign and build again in the off-season.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to build a more attacking side with some of the under 18s.

“We’ve got some good young players coming through the programme. We hope we can finish the season well and build a bit of a platform to go again in the summer.”