HEYBRIDGE Swifts defender Ryan Doyle has apologised for his tackle on Craig Eastmond, which marred Wednesday’s friendly against Colchester United at Scraley Road.
The U’s midfielder was left with an ankle injury following the first-half challenge, which infuriated Colchester boss Joe Dunne.
However, Swifts counterpart Mark Hawkes has defended his player and said: “It was miss-timed, rather than malicious.
“Ryan has held his hands up and apologised to both the player and Joe Dunne.
“Both accepted his apology.
“Ryan doesn’t play his football like that.
“He’d never set out to hurt anyone and it was a disappointing incident.
“I said before the game that I didn’t want any horrendous tackles, but that I didn’t want us to stand off them and let them play their football.
“What happened was unfortunate and we wish their player well.”
Doyle only recently signed for Heybridge from Ryman One North rivals Brentwood Town.
Meanwhile, Hawkes felt his side performed well against their League One opponents.
They took the lead through Ben Newson, only for Colchester to fight back in the second half through John-Joe O’Toole and Drey Wright.
“We’ve been working hard in training and put those things into practice,” said Hawkes.
“Fitness-wise, we’re not quite up to match sharpness.
“But we were playing professional opposition and weren’t far behind in that respect.
Swifts are back in pre-season action on Saturday, away to Coggeshall.