STUDLEY joint-managers John Edwards and Wayne Bunn want to see more consistency from their players – regardless of the opposition.
The Bees produced arguably the non-League performance of the weekend to dismantle then-leaders NKF Burbage 4-0 on their home pitch in Saturday’s Midland League Division One fixture.
It was only the second time the Barwell side, who had been successive champions, had lost since they joined the Midland League in 2016 and it was their first competitive defeat in nearly 12 months.
However, then facing basement side Littleton on Tuesday, Studley needed to battle to earn a 2-1 comeback victory at the Beehive.
Edwards was delighted to see the new-look squad chalk up their first wins after a disjoined start to the season, with players missing, but he stressed the test will be to maintain the form over the bank holiday against Paget Rangers and Cadbury Athletic.
“As managers, we like to break up the season into six-game chunks and, if we can win the next two games, then the start to the season doesn’t look too bad,” said Edwards.
“Last Saturday, at Burbage, it was the first time I’ve had 95 per cent of the first-choice players available and that was evident in the way we played. We ended up winning fairly comfortably.
“On Tuesday, I think we underestimated Littleton because of the start they have made but credit to them, they defended deep and then took their chance to score and go in 1-0 ahead at half-time.
“That was the spur we needed because we were much better in the second half.
“There are some lessons there to be learned. We seem to have a habit of raising our game to play the better sides, but we underperform against so-called lesser sides. We need more consistency from the players.”
It was no coincidence the Bees’ first wins of the season followed the inclusion of key trio Joe Adams, Jordan Jones and Dave Edwards for the first time.
Adams scored twice against Burbage, with Jones and Dan Carter also on target.
Then Adams hit the 55th-minute equaliser against Littleton before Alfie Bloomer nodded home the winner five minutes from time.
Jones, however, will miss the home fixture with Paget on Saturday, but Edwards and Bunn plan to make changes for the first of two games inside three days.
On Monday they travel to Kings Norton to face Cadbury, who are one of only four unbeaten sides so far this term in Division One.
