LOSING 2-1 to Cambrian and Clydach may have been Caldicot Town's first defeat of the New Year but boss Jason Pritchard refused to criticise his players' efforts.

Instead he acknowledged that Cambrian and Clydach were simply a better side, and has pledged to work on Town's dearth of quality as they battled for Welsh League Division One survival.

He said this week: "The work rate has been good, we can't ask for more than that. But the quality just wasn't good enough.

"I still personally feel that we're not a million miles away from these sides, although our position doesn't say that. We may not have been as good as them, but that's something we can work on."

Town went in front in the irst half when a half-cleared corner fell to the prolific Jason Thorn. He ably chested the loose ball down before dispatching a looping a volley into the far right corner.

Pritchard added: "The last two games we've played well and won well, and this week we've started off on the front foot and gone in front. Only our passing became astray later on and we allowed them to come back into the game and equalise before half time.

"The second half was more of a scrappy affair but they took one of their two chances while our chances were nothing to write home about."

This Saturday, Caldicot host Garw at Jubilee Way (kick off 2pm). And they have boosted their ranks with the arrival of keeper Andy Delves and the return of ex-Town winger Gary Moores.

"They're really perked up the squad and brought an improved competition for place, added Pritchard.