EDDIE Nix apologised to supporters after Bicester Town slumped to a 5-0 defeat at Penn & Tylers Green, writes Tom St John.

The visitors never recovered from conceding the opening goal on the stroke of half-time and collapsed for only their second defeat of the Uhlsport Hellenic League Division One East season.

Joint-manager Nix reflected back on chances squandered by his side in the first half and their lack of concentration at the start of the second.

“We should have been two or three up before half-time,” he said.

“We conceded a bad goal bang on half-time and we didn’t start the second half very well to be honest.

“Ten minutes of madness and we’re out of the game. I still don’t think 5-0 is a fair reflection of the game.”

“It’s a bad day at the office, which we’ll learn from very quickly and bounce back from this bad defeat.

“We are sorry for letting Bicester Town supporters down and we’ll do our best not to let this happen again.”

Bicester gave debuts to new signings Michael Spaull and Eric Carpenter, but Patrick Starrett, Nick Aldsworth, Adam Garner, Cameron MacPherson and Ali Robinson were all unavailable.

Penn had beaten Bicester 2-0 in the Bluefin Challenge Cup last month, but the visitors looked like they were going to get their revenge at one stage.

Their first half performance certainly warranted a goal as they created some good chances.

Rob Johnson came close, but the best chance fell to Carpenter, who hit the crossbar.

Bicester seemed to have control of the game, but they fell behind on 42 minutes to a free-kick from the edge of the penalty area from Josh Fox.

The goal transformed the game, as Penn & Tylers took charge.

Town goalkeeper Ryan Watt saved well from close range to deny Danny Jordan at the start of the second half, but he could do nothing to prevent the hosts from doubling their lead minutes later.

Lee Thompson was played through by George Weller to slot home on 55 minutes.

Adam Harman rounded Watt to make it 3-0.

Town’s misery continued with a second goal from Thompson on 70 minutes.

Substitute Nile O’Meally-Newell rounded off a very disappointing second half for Town five minutes from time.

Bicester’s next game comes on Wednesday, October 14, away to New College Swindon in the Perpetua Press Floodlit Cup.