JOHN EDWARDS has challenged shell-shocked Studley to ‘wise up’ as they look to bounce back from two defeats in the first week of the new Midland League Division One season.
Bees joint-bosses Edward and Wayne Bunn admitted they were hugely disappointed to open the campaign with a 4-0 defeat at Leicester Road last Saturday followed by a 3-1 home loss to Lichfield City.
In both games, they felt the Bees had their chances but crumbled once they conceded and that’s something that cannot continue, says Edwards.
Injuries and supensions, however, have had a big impact, with Jordan Jones and Luke Dugmore likely to be ruled out for Saturday’s home clash with Nuneaton Griff and Dan Carter, Simon Fitter and Robbie Ager also banned.
Their know-how has been missed but Edwards says the revamped squad needs to remain upbeat.
“I just hope the two results haven’t damaged the confidence,” said Edwarsdf. “We’ve got a lot of new lads and we don’t want to having to rebuild confidence.
“We need to get back to winning ways as possible.
“The frustrating thing is that in both games we had chances. Against Leicester Road, for 50 minutes, we were very good but when they scored we fell away tamely.
“On Tuesday, we were 1-0 up and we had chances to add to that but once we conceded Lichfield got on top.
“It’s about game management. We need to wise up.”
To add to Tuesday’s pain, key duo Jones and Dugmore were both crocked. Dugmore had to substituted at half-time with a calf problem, while Jones suffered a thigh strain. Both could face at least a few weeks on the sidelines.
Edwards, however, predicts both Leicester Road and Lichfield could be forces to reckon with in the league this season.
“They have both massively improved from last year,” said Edwards. “I would be surprised if we haven’t already played two of the top three or four players.
“Having said that, we expected a lot more of ourselves.”
Studley struck first against Lichfield at the Beehive on Tuesday, with Odane Barnes bagging his first goal since his summer move from Cadbury after five minutes.
But a stunning, curling effort from Tom Brown levelled matters on the stroke of half-time and the visitors seized control after the break. Brown collected a long ball to chip over the keeper and then James Taylor bagged a third.
On Saturday, it had been 0-0 at half-time but the contest changed when Matty Langham headed home Leicester’s opener on 48 minutes.
Sam Munton (57 mins) and Liam Reid (71mins) fired home from the edge of the penalty box to make it 3-0 and Callum Earls wrapped up the points with a fourth nine minutes from time.
