SOHAM boss Andy Furnell is confident his side will push on this season despite crashing out of the two cup competitions this week.

The Greens endured a 7-1 drubbing at the hands of Whitehawk in Saturday’s FA Trophy clash before losing 3-0 to Brentwood in the League Cup on Tuesday.

Speaking exclusively to the Ely Standard after Tuesday night’s defeat to Brentwood, Furnell said his side would react well to the setbacks and come out fighting again when they host Thamesmead Town on Saturday.

“We were awful on Saturday against Whitehawk but I think I got a reaction out of the players against Brentwood and I think there are a lot of positives to take from the game.

“I think the better side lost on the night, we certainly weren’t helped by the referee and I think their goalkeeper made some excellent saves. The way we kept on going right up until the final whistle was also a good sign.

“We will do well this season, we are playing some good football and we just need to add a few more goals.”

Soham were quickest out of the traps on Tuesday night, with returning striker Dubi Ogbonna instantly in the thick of the action, laying in David Cobb after two minutes only for the latter’s shot to be cleared off the line.

Ogbonna and Cobb both had shots at goal well saved in the ensuing minutes before Brentwood bundled home the opener after a ball was only half cleared from the Soham box.

Debutant Paul Cousins went close to pulling one back for Soham on the half-hour mark but he sent his back post header into the side netting from a tight angle.

Brentwood managed a couple of shorts from range to keep Dan Bircham on his toes in the Soham goal before Tom Liberatore header over from eight yards with the goal at his mercy.

Brentwood stole into a 2-0 lead on the stroke of half-time as a deflected free-kick fell to a striker 10 yards from goal, with his subsequent turn and shot rifling low into the corner.

The contest was all but won four minutes into the second half as a dubious free-kick was smashed home from 25 yards to put the visitors three goals clear.

Richard Gammon went close to pulling a goal back for the home side just after the hour mark but his low shot from the angle was superbly saved by the visitors’ keeper.

Dan Cotton linked well with Ogbonna and substitute Denny Escorcio to fire a couple of shots in on goal but the midfielder was unable to find a way past the goalkeeper, who had the applause of home and away fans alike as he superbly denied Furnell’s header from point blank range at the death.