HOLLAND FC assistant boss Steve Davis is backing his players to get back to winning ways after a challenging week that has seen the club slide out of two cup competitions.

They bowed out of the Essex Senior Cup on Thursday night, losing 2-0 at Basildon-based White Ensign.

Holland then exited another competition on Saturday as they lost 1-0 at Codicote, in the second qualifying round of the FA Vase.

Davis admits it was a tough few days but says Thurlow Nunn League division one south points will always be the priority - and hopes to put three more on the board at Hackney Wick on Saturday.

"The two cup defeats were difficult to take but our main focus is the league, as it has been all season," he told the Gazette.

"Against White Ensign, we didn't get anywhere near the levels we've shown during our purple patch in the last few weeks.

"We rotated the squad, to prioritise for the Vase game and also this weekend's trip to Hackney Wick.

"Whether that was the right or wrong thing to do remains debatable, though, especially after losing at Codicote.

"That was another big disappointment.

"We didn't come out of the dressing room, looked lethargic and didn't play to the levels we've set over the last few weeks.

"Codicote were in bad form in their league but when it came to the magic of a cup competition they raised their game.

"We didn't and that was the difference between the sides."

Davis insists his players are determined to get back on track in the league.

Hackney Wick provide their next opponents and after that they have another knockout game, at home to Felixstowe and Walton Reserves in the League Challenge Cup on Tuesday night.

"We're determined to get back to winning ways but are expecting a tough battle at the weekend," he said.

"Keelan was missing due to injury on Saturday.

"We missed his quality on the ball and his creativity, but we have to learn and adapt to a different way of playing when certain key players are unavailable.

"Some of the other players need to step up."