CINDERFORD Town manager Stephen Cleal says his side must rediscover the defensive habits which served them well last season after reflecting on a demanding start to the new campaign.

The Foresters have opened the season with three successive away games, taking three points from their first two Hellenic League Premier Division fixtures before suffering a heavy FA Cup defeat at the weekend.

Cleal said it was not simply the results which had disappointed him, but the manner in which his side had conceded.

“Following three gruelling away games and having sat down and reflected on the three games, the disappointing thing is the manner in which we gave the goals away that has hurt,” he said.

“We aren’t firing on all cylinders yet and we’ve got creative players coming back into the squad, so we know we will naturally improve in the final third.

“But concerns that we eliminated last year have crept back in again, so we must work harder on that to ensure it doesn’t become a habit.”

Cinderford began their league campaign with a 2-0 defeat at Bradford Town on Saturday, August 1, before responding three days later with a 1-0 victory away to Droitwich Spa.

Their attention then turned to the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round on Saturday, August 8, where they travelled to Thatcham Town.

The sides went into half-time goalless, with Cinderford passing up a good opportunity shortly before the break when Tino Shumba crossed for Jack Watts, whose effort failed to find the target.

Thatcham took control after the restart, however, with Levi Heholt breaking the deadlock five minutes into the second half before Kyle Tooze converted a penalty.

Shumba quickly pulled one back for the Foresters, heading home from a free-kick, but the Kingfishers went on to score three more as Cinderford bowed out with a 5-1 defeat.

Cleal said his players must remain alert until danger has completely passed.

“We aren’t switching on to the whole situation when dealing with balls in our box,” he said.

“It isn’t always about first contact, it’s about staying switched on and alive to deal with all situations until the danger is cleared and we can transition into attack.”

Cinderford now face a busy period of five games in three weeks, with three of those fixtures at The Causeway.

Cleal added: “We will work hard to improve how we are in both boxes to be in a healthier position come the end of August.”

Cinderford will now look to respond when they return to The Causeway on Saturday, August 15, welcoming Hallen in the Hellenic League Premier Division for a 3pm kick-off.