Lions coach refusing to panic after another setback at home

Pete Kolakowski scores a try for the Lions. Picture: Kevin Goodacre

The city side were pipped 34-27 by Longton at Bretton Park on Saturday and that was a second successive home loss.

They also lost their opening fixture 21-20 to Derby and then drew 13-13 at Lichfield.

As a result they’re winless and fourth from bottom in the table.

Ryan Morris in possession for the Lions. Picture: Kevin Goodacre

But there are no alarm bells ringing in Fox’s ears.

“Of course I’m not happy,” he said, “but we could so easily be sitting near the top of the table with three wins under our belts.

“All of our games have been very, very close so far and we’re certainly not a million miles off where we want to be.

“It is what it is and the players are what they are. We’ve just got to get our heads down and work hard in training in the week and then work hard for one another on a Saturday afternoon.

“The level we’re at is semi-professional and you need to do more than train two nights a week and play on a Saturday. Most successful players at this level are putting in the work five nights a week. The new boys in the squad - especially those who have stepped up a level, need to buy into that and if they do then I’m sure the results will come.

“We’re an established National League Three club now and one of the better teams in the league so of course opposing sides are going to fight harder and raise their game against us.

“We’ve got to be prepared for that. We can’t afford to stand still and just turn up expecting to beat teams like Longton.

“It’s sinking in and as long as we all stay positive I’m sure we’ll turn results round.”

The Lions once again - just as they did against Derby - staged a second-half fightback to get in a winning position only to blow it in the closing moments.

Longton possessed two very tricky and two very fast wingers who caused the Lions defence problems out wide and they were responsible for three of their side’s four tries.

The Lions also scored four tries to claim one bonus point and got another for losing by seven points or less.

Kaz Henderson (2), Sam Crooks and Pete Kolakowski were the Lions try-scorers.

The Lions are away on Saturday to Nuneaton. Lions lost the corresponding fixture last season 23-12 but beat them 17-9 in the return fixture at the Den.