IT has been a difficult first week for Yate Town in the Southern League Premier Division and two 3-0 defeats in four days is obviously not what the doctor ordered.

But neither has been manager Rich Thompson's injury list.

Danny Hallett, Darren Edwards, Steve Campbell, Jason Wood and Paul Metheringham have all been sidelined and Paul Chenoweth and Justin Pritchard both picked up hamstring strains in the opening game against Banbury.

Southern League Premier Division Yate Town 0 Banbury United 3

THREE goals in a ten minutes midway through the first half ensured victory for visiting Banbury and a disappointing start to Yate's Premier Division campaign.

Justin Pritchard went close a few times in the opening period but Banbury took a 29th minute lead with a lucky goal when Dave Elsey's sliced clearance was blocked by keeper Tony Court but rebounded into the net via defender Ollie Slimbridge.

Four minutes later a low cross caused consternation in the Yate box and skipper Lee Jefferies headed into his own net.

Banbury made it 3-0 on 39 minutes when Courts punched clearance hit Andy Baird and rebounded over the line.

Yate's closest effort came in the second half when sub Kevin Slack's acrobatic effort was cleared off the line.

Merthyr Tydfil 3 Yate Town 0

YATE Town suffered their second 3-0 defeat of the week.

The Merthyr goals came in the first half.

Richard Ingram gave the hosts the lead in the third minute when he finished off a cross.

Merthyr scored their second on 26 minutes through Craig Steins, who added the third two minutes later from close range.

This Saturday Yate are away to Bedford Town and Bath City will be visiting Lodge Road on Tuesday evening.