SHRIVENHAM manager Michael McNally is hoping that his team will be able build on their ‘outstanding’ second-half display against North Leigh United in the Hellenic League Challenge Cup.

Shrivvy exited the competition as they were bested 2-0 at their high-flying Division One West rivals but Barrington Park boss McNally was delighted by his team’s spirited display after half-time.

The visitors did concede two soft goals in the first period, with the second coming as goalkeeper Ollie Harrison inadvertently set up a North Leigh striker by misplacing a clearance, and the Shrivvy chief is hoping that the only way is up.

“We were quite poor in the first half and conceded two sloppy goals but in the second half, I thought we were outstanding,” said McNally.

“The way that we pressurised them in the second half was fantastic and their manager said to us at the end of the game ‘how have you not won 6-2 or 7-2?’.

“We didn’t manage to take our chances but I was really happy with how we played and we’ve got to come together as a team and carry that on now.

“We’ve only played three league games and my priority is the league.

“Some teams have already played five or six games and they’re only a few points ahead of us, so we’ve got to try and pick up some points now to close the gap.

“We’ve got a massive game against Tytherington next week – they’re struggling a bit and hopefully it’s a chance for us to get three points.”