Manager Ashley Taylor says injuries have taken their toll on Chatteris Town’s start to their Kershaw Premier Division campaign.

The Lilies were tipped to challenge for the title before the season began but were hit with an instant setback courtesy of back-to-back defeats to Eaton Socon and Cambridge University Press.

They ended their disappointing early season last night with a 1-0 win over Lakenheath, but Taylor believes the Lilies’ growing list of sidelined players has had a big influence on their stuttering start.

“We have had a tough start. I’m not one to make excuses but we have been really unlucky with injuries,” he said.

“At the minute we have five key players missing but that has offered a good opportunity to other plays in the squad to show what they are about.”

Ben Matthews’ second-half header secured all three points for the Lilies last night, and Taylor says it was important for his side to claim a win over one of their promotion rivals.

“I was really impressed with the character we showed last night,” he said.

“Losing your first two games is not ideal and you worry that it could affect the confidence in the team but there were no signs of a team low on confidence against Lakenheath.

“I saw a team doing all they could do to get the three points.”

The Lilies will hope to add a second straight win on Saturday afternoon - but face a tricky test in the form of a trip to Gamlingay United (3pm).

The Sandy-based outfit are yet to experience defeat this term and hammered Hemingfords United 4-0 last night.

“We now need to build on our first win and take it into Saturday against a direct, physical Gamlingay side,” Taylor added.

As well as claiming all three points against Lakenheath, Chatteris have also secured the services of one of their players.

Midfielder Ben Amery, who hit nine goals in 34 games last season, is expected to make his switch from Suffolk to Cambridgeshire this week. He is unlikely to play a part against Gamlingay but is expected to make an appearance in Chatteris’ game at Comberton United on September 2.