OXFORD City boss Mark Jones is not unduly concerned about his side’s start to the Vanarama National League South season, despite two successive defeats.

Early losses to St Albans City and Hampton & Richmond have left the side 17th after two games.

Jones, who takes his team to Whitehawk tomorrow, says the performances in the opening two matches have given him plenty of cause for optimism.

He said: “It’s been a little bit frustrating, because we’ve been well in both games.

“I haven’t been disappointed with our performance levels.

“We’ve made a few small errors that have cost us.

“But on other occasions, those mistakes wouldn’t have been punished and the results could have easily been very different.”

Whitehawk have also started with back-to-back defeats, and Jones is under no illusions as to the importance of getting off the mark as soon as possible.

He said: “The first two results haven’t been what we wanted, so tomorrow is an important game.

“We’ve been competitive in both games so far, and I feel we are close to picking up those first points.

“What I don’t want is people to start panicking.

“We just have to tweak a few things here and there and we will be fine.

“We are trying to be patient in our build-up play, and that’s what we will continue to try to do.”

Striker Justin Bennett is still ruled out with a knee injury for tomorrow’s trip.

Fellow new signing, midfielder Mo Fofana, is still sidelined while City await international clearance to come through from the Oman Football Association.

TOMORROW’S TEAM

Oxford City (v Whitehawk, away): Hill, Poku, Grant, Oastler, Henderson, Demuria, Jones, Fleet, Paterson, McEachran, Pearce, Forde, Hirst, Ngathe, Navarro, Fassanmade.