BRENDON King is backing his Hamworthy United squad to respond after suffering heavy defeats in their previous two fixtures.

Hammers were thumped 6-2 at home by Lymington Town on Saturday as they crashed out of the FA Vase.

The County Ground side then had no answer to Hamble Club away from home in Wessex Premier on Tuesday.

United were walloped 5-0 and King admitted his side “didn’t deserve anything” from the contest.

The defeat was Hammers’ first league loss of the season, having won six out of seven prior to the encounter.

Following stern words in the dressing room after their latest reverse, manager King was keen to view how his charges reacted.

He told the Daily Echo: “We spoke about things after Tuesday’s game. There were a lot of disappointed people in the dressing room.

“We didn’t deserve anything out of the game and we didn’t get anything. That’s football and we need to dust ourselves down and go again.

“There were some tough words afterwards but I don’t think we need to press the panic button.

“A few things were said and you could tell they actually cared about things.

“It was good to see some passion afterwards. I wish they had just shown a little bit more passion on the pitch.

“We have to get back to basics. We have had a good start to the season bar the previous couple of results.”

King did not rule out adding to his squad or making changes ahead of Saturday’s home clash with rock-bottom Petersfield Town (3pm).

“Players will be playing for the shirt now, which gives me a little more food for thought,” he added.

“It may be a chance for other players to come in and stake a claim.

“It is all about getting a positive reaction and we will be looking to do that on Saturday. We have some tough games coming up so we have to try and re-build.

“We have had a decent start to the season. I know areas where I want to improve the side.”

Hammers: Knights, D Randall, Montacute, Clarke, Filkins, O’Sullivan (Nicolson, 65), Gleeson (Rose, 75), Buckler, B Walker (B Randall, 70), Stewart, Preston. Unused sub: Bragginton