SHRIVENHAM need to find their confidence and play with a smile on their face again said caretaker boss Michael McNally after his first game in charge.

The new Barrington Park boss could not make an immediate impact as his side fell to a 4-1 defeat at home to Oxford City Nomads, but Shrivvy held their own for 60 minutes of the game.

It looked like it was going to be a long afternoon following a slip in defence let the visitors take a second minute lead but the hosts pulled level five minutes later when Steve Olphert scored from 20 yards out.

Shrivenham continued to battle well in the game but a second goal for Nomads midway through the second half was a body blow for McNally’s side and they couldn’t prevent Oxford adding to their tally.

“We had a good chat with the lads before the game and explained how we wanted to approach it and get the side out and keep our formation and in the first 60 minutes there was nothing in the game,” said McNally.

“The second goal goes in and, I know the lads haven’t got a lot of confidence at the minute because of the season they have had, it was like flicking a switch.

“The confidence and belief just went and then we lost our shape, our momentum and they just come onto us and scored another two goals.

“If we play for 60 or 70 minutes then we wouldn’t have a problem but the game is 90 minutes long.”

McNally understands that he has a big task on his hands but believes he has a squad that is punching well below their weight and a win next weekend against Milton could be the turning point.

“I think we need a win but it is a mental thing as well. They need to try and snap out of it,” he added.

“I want the lads to be turning up at the game with a smile on their face and enjoying it.

“They’re so under achieving for the talent of the squad we have got it is for me to try and put a finger on it and try and work it out.

“For 60 minutes you wouldn’t have known who were Oxford and who were Shrivenham but it is fine margins I am afraid in football.”