CRAIG Laird has praised his absentee-hit Yate Town squad as they continue a tough November schedule of five matches in just 14 days.

Although losing the first two of those games, manager Laird is confident the passing and attacking style of play, despite weaknesses in defence, is starting to pay dividends.

The Bluebells went down 3-1 on Tuesday night to Merthyr Town in the Red Insure League Cup which meant an exit from the tournament at the second round stage.

And, although Merthyr could have scored way more than just three goals, all conceded in the first-half, Yate had their chances and battled well.

It was all the more encouraging as the club had seven regulars either missing on Tuesday for various reasons or who played despite having knocks.

Also Merthyr, who ran away with the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West title last season, now play in the next tier up, the Southern League, Premier Division, and, as a result, have recruited some top players into their squad this year.

Yate were a goal up in the first half and stood toe-to-toe with Merthyr. But after the Welsh side equalised, they took control.

Nevertheless, Laird said: “It was pleasing we played like that against a team from a league above as they had some big players in their side and did not have any youth players, as we did.

“They were more clinical in certain areas but I told the boys afterwards to be encouraged.

“We gave away three simple goals but if we had taken our opportunities to go two or three goals up, then we would have got more chances.”

Kane Ingram came off with a knock just after the interval while big striker Darren Edwards was on the bench but did not make an appearance due to an injury.

Tom Warren, Mitch Tippins, Harry Horton and Matt Villis were also missing through injury, while goalkeeper Martin Horsell was out for both Saturday and Tuesday’s match due to the birth of his child.

Now Yate’s topsy-turvy league season takes another twist on Saturday when they play Wimborne Town at Lodge Road, with the East Dorset outfit looking to bounce back from a 3-0 home defeat last Saturday by Slimbridge.

Laird hopes to have one or two players back in the mix, with Edwards one of them, but victory after three consecutive defeats, is imperative against the basement strugglers before a crunch mid-table clash with Bishops Cleeve on Tuesday night again at home.

The manager said: “We try and win every game but this is a tough league. We are being punished for mistakes. We played some good stuff against Merthyr but we’re not taking chances.

Laird, in his first full season as Yate boss, added: “It’s great to be involved at this level again and I am learning a lot about this league every day but people have to have a bit of patience as it is coming together.”