Walton Casuals boss Mark Hams has told his new striking duo that he needs them as much as they need him.

Connor French and Bobby Traynor hit a brace each in the Casuals 5-3 win over Faversham Town in Saturday’s Ryman Division One South curtain raiser.

However, the pair drew a blank in Monday’s 1-0 defeat at Hastings United.

Traynor, who had been training with Hams’ former boss Alan Dowson at Kingstonian, and French, a former Dulwich Hamlet hitman, joined last week ahead of the new season.

Hams said: “It was clear after the Hastings game that the two guys up front were both tired after two games in three days.

“But we have a little time before Folkestone on Saturday, so we will work on some edge of the box movement and getting the most out of them.

“Both of them are with us for as long as we can keep them.

“I’ve told them that they need us to get their match fitness, and we need them to score our goals. If they play week in, week out,chances are we won’t be able to keep hold of them.

“But who knows? They may like being with us, and they may want to stay.”

Despite the 5-3 scoreline against Faversham, Hams was less than impressed with his side's overall performance.

Instead, he was more impressed after the display at Hastings, and hence disappointed at the result.

"We spoke about Faversham's long-throw tactics and how we should defend against them, and it just seemed as if the boys decided to do exactly the opposite," Hams said.

"The defending was pretty pathetic and Faversham were brutal.

"We found ourselves 2-0 down, but came back and although I ripped into the players at half-time, they deserve credit for fighting back.

"It's a cliche, but last I think they would have been turned over 5-0 quite easily."

He added: "Against Hastings, we were excellent in the first half and we unlucky not to score.

"They took over in the second half, although their goal was disappointing from our point of view.

"We did not clear a free-kick at the second or third attempt, and they made  us pay.

"So, overall I was disappointed to come away with nothing."