ANDY McGarry is keen to see how Old Southendian & Southchurch react to their first setback of the season when they visit Harlow Town this weekend.

Old Boys’ 100 per cent winning start to the Division Two campaign was ended by a 64-run defeat to Frenford last time out.

And Old Southendian captain McGarry believes his side will need to have the correct mindset if they are to return to winning ways tomorrow.

McGarry said: “I think you learn more about your team the week after losing and you can see how they come back from the defeat.

“We’ve made a great start and it’s unfortunate that we are now missing Matt Austin for a few games due to injury, but we have been lucky to pick up Nabeel Akhtar as an addition to our squad.

“He made a great start by taking three wickets with the new ball last weekend and he is a good addition with both bat and ball.

“We need to make sure, as a unit, we don’t expect to bowl teams out for 130 every week as we’d been doing that up until the Frenford game.

“Then we need to make sure that some of our batters go on and make a significant score to help us win games.

“A problem we’ve had for a couple of years is lots of guys getting 20 or 30 runs and then getting out instead of going onto get a match-defining 70 or 80.

“We’re working hard on that front.”

Despite Old Southendian’s first defeat of term, McGarry’s side remain remain in the promotion places.

And McGarry insists Old Boys’ confidence has not been knocked.

“We all turn up every game wanting to win,” added McGarry.

“We just need to make sure that each and every week we give ourselves the best chance by switching on, understanding situations and winning the key parts of each game.

“If we do that properly then we will win the majority of games without worrying about it.

“We can continue with confidence after the start we’ve made and also knowing that there is still scope for improvement.”

Harlow Town recorded their first win of the campaign last time out.

Tomorrow’s hosts beat Orsett & Thurrock by just three runs and, although Harlow Town are currently seventh in the 10-team division, McGarry is not taking anything for granted.

“We’re looking forward to another challenge,” admitted McGarry.

“All teams in our league can beat each other on their day.

“We just need to make sure it’s our day.”