Clanfield boss calling on his squad to show better attitude towards keeping fit after cup loss at Harvest

Blakely was unhappy that several players returned after lockdown restrictions had been eased out of shape.

‘Some hadn’t kept fit and it showed - we’ve picked up six or seven injuries during training already as a result.

‘We need to get better at the side of things. If we want to build anything here, we need a better mentality.

‘If the current squad can’t do it, we’ll look to get players in who will.’

Clanfield returned to competitive action at the weekend with a 1-0 L4 Teamwear Cup group loss to lower division Harvest at Front Lawn.

‘We should be looking to win that game,’ said Blakely. ‘But Harvest deserved the win. They gave it everything, they were a bit old school - strong and direct.

‘They looked in better shape than we were.

‘We need to get back to the drawing board in how we play when we come up against teams who are a bit physical.

‘We’re in a tough group and we want to be competitive, we are looking to get results.

‘We’re not taking it lightly.’

Clanfield are now preparing for two games at Westleigh Park in the space of three days.

First, they welcome Paulsgrove on Thursday - aiming for an improvement on a 5-1 Hampshire Premier League Senior loss at the same ground in October.

They then welcome Harvest’s Division 1 rivals Denmead next Saturday.