Dryden is stunned as City crash

The St George’s Lane outfit crashed to their first defeat of the season after such an impressive start to the campaign.

The Middlesex side were an average unit yet they sailed to a 3-0 victory.

Dryden said: “Having had one of the best games last Monday, this was one of the worst for a long, long time — definitely since I have been here.

“The only thing I can take from this match was that there were no injuries.”

City had got off to a flying start to the campaign with a 2-1 victory at Bognor Regis Town last Saturday before following that up by beating St Albans 2-0.

But there was no danger of City making it three wins in a row as they fell behind after only six minutes and never recovered.

“We didn’t play well. We could have played anybody and been beaten playing like that,” the City boss said.

“If you don’t start the game properly then you are going to be turned over.

“It was a poor start and there isn’t a lot we can take out of it apart from seeing how we bounce back at Weston on Saturday.”

Even the fact that City have six points from their opening three games was not enough to give Dryden a lift.

“It was six from six,” he said. “Then you get beaten poorly at home.

“We will be in twice this week looking to work through things for Saturday.

“I have brought a lot of players in for the start of this season and I’m generally happy with them.

“If you had seen the first two games then you would say they are gelling.”

Hayes will not be the best team City will face this term, but Dryden feels they offered something different to Bognor and St Albans.

“They were more direct and physical than the other two teams,” Dryden added. “They got on the end of their passes and we didn’t.

“But if you don’t turn up to play the game then you are going to struggle.

“We all have to take responsibility for this defeat — we are a squad. It is just a shame that we haven’t got a game in mid-week.”