LOSING your first game of the season is never the worst thing in the world as there is always enough time to retool and get your campaign back on track.

Still, no one wants to be left with that awful feeling on opening day, especially if you are one of the clubs that are harbouring thoughts of challenging for the Red Stripe Premier League title.

Andrew Price’s body language, as he walked towards the media crew at Juici Park last Sunday, said he would rather not relive the 3-0 spanking his Boys’ Town team had just received from Sporting Central Academy. But, as usual, he reported for his post-game interview.

Now in full flow, the coach respectfully conceded that his side was outdone by a much “fitter” side on the day, but wasted no time dwelling on their shabby performance. He immediately set his sights on the upcoming fixtures.

“Our preparation wasn’t the best to start the league,” said Price, “but we had to get ready so we are short on fitness. It’s something that we will have to work on because we saw some areas where we can improve on.

“One of the areas is co-ordination, especially defensively, which wasn’t good today. We gave up three goals to defensive errors. We have to fix that. But, it is early days.”

However, following their travails of the past season, where they flirted with relegation until the last day of the season, the ‘Red Brigade’ will be hoping that their performance against Sporting is not a sign of things to come.

“Like I said, it’s early days,” affirmed Price. “It was an away match so we came here just to see how best we could contain Sporting Central, but they are a lot fitter than us at this point in time and are ahead of us in their preparation. We will continue to work hard and hope that as the season goes on we can improve.”

Today, Price will lead his troops into battle against newcomers Barbican, looking for their first points of the season, at their Collie Smith Drive base.

The Junior Francis-coached Barbican, who, along with Reno, won promotion in June, will be making their premiership bow after their opening fixture against Waterhouse was postponed.