BOSS Keith Draper insists Studley must improve their home record this season if they want to stand any chance of fighting at the top end of the Midland League Division One table.
The Bees won just four of their 19 home league games last season – a record which almost cost them a place in Step Six as they missed the drop by just seven points.
Having lost their opening league game of the 2017/18 campaign 2-0 to Coventry Copsewood, Draper told the Standard home form is something which needs to be addressed.
Studley have a run of three consecutive homes games which starts on Saturday with the visit of Stafford Town, followed by Racing Club Warwick on Tuesday night.
Title hopefuls Leicester Road then travel to the Beehive on August 26.
“I have targeted seven points from our next three games,” said Draper. “It’s a realistic target but we have to improve our home record.
“It was absolutely abysmal last season and we have started our games at home this season in similar fashion.
“If we want to finish in the top six and qualify for the FA Cup, then we have to address our home record.
“I can’t put my finger on why we are not winning at home because the lads know this pitch inside out.”
With Draper looking to set one record straight, on Saturday the Bees boss brought an end to his dreadful record of never beating Nuneaton Griff.
Two goals from Josh Westwood and one from Andy Nicol secured a 3-1 victory at the Pingles Stadium to earn Draper his first three points over Griff at the eighth time of asking.
“The result was never in doubt,” Draper said. “From the very first whistle we were dominant and should have been more than 1-0 up at half time.
“We had so many chances I was thinking it better not come back to bite us, but after the break we just continued from where we left off.
“Griff only scored with the last kick of the game and afterwards their chairman joked it was about time I beat them at their place.
“It was a great feeling for me as well as the players to win on Saturday.”
Studley have bolstered their ranks with the signing of left back Shane Smith from Harrowby United.
Draper admitted he had been trying to sign the former Heather St John’s and Dunkirk player all summer and was glad to capture his services.
“I was looking for a new left back and bringing Shane in adds to the competition for places in the squad,” he added.
