In Maurice Lowe’s words, it is “still early days”, but three games without a point or a goal is cause for some concern for basement dwelling Southampton Rangers.

Lowe hopes his team can start to turn things around on Sunday when they travel to Wellington Oval to meet Hamilton Parish.

But as defeats to promoted sides Robin Hood and St George’s have shown, victories this season will not be easy to come by.

“We’re concerned, if you look at the season every week our results so far haven’t been good enough,” Lowe said.

“We haven’t scored any goals as yet and we’re leaking goals, so that’s not good enough.

“If you look at [the table] every week you can drive yourself crazy, but if you look at the season in its entirety, every team in the league is going to lose three games.

“Our hope is that we’ve lost our games early and that we’ve taken corrective measures so that we can score some goals and get some better results. We’re definitely concerned, but not panicking just yet.”

Rangers are not the only team to still be without a point this season. Dandy Town, the defending champions, have also lost three straight game as have Flanagan’s Onions.

“I don’t have the luxury of saying that the company that’s with me is good company,” Lowe stressed. “It is better that we get some points on the board, and that’s the aim.”

Rangers have not been able to field their strongest team because of injuries while some key players from last season, such as Janeiro Tucker and Dion Stovell, have departed.

Goalkeeper Jason Smith has not played because of injury while Kamen Tucker, Keimon Simmons, Jamel Hill and captain McQuinn Burch have also had spells on the sidelines.

Burch and Hill returned against St George’s on Sunday but could not stop their defence from leaking two more goals.

“We’ve lost as many as eight starters from our team, Dion Stovell, Janeiro Tucker, Stephen Astwood, Willie Clemens, who has gone away to school, Kamen Tucker is injured as is Keimon Simmons. Those are six starters in anyone’s team,” Lowe said.

“In that sense we are rebuilding, but we have to make sure the environment is conducive to players improving. We haven’t read them the riot act, the environment we’re trying to create is a nurturing environment where players can improve.

“Sure, it’s frustrating for the players, they want to do well, but it’s also frustrating for the coaching staff who want to do well and the fans who have high expectations.

“Every football club wants improved performances, even the ones who are doing well, so we’re no different in that regard.”

Parish represents another tough game for Rangers, with Kieshon Smith’s side sure to be confident after last weekend’s first win against Onions.

“Every match is important and we respect Hamilton Parish quite a bit, probably one of the more complete teams in the division,” Lowe said.

“We’re wary of them and the challenge they present, but at the same time we’re at the point where we need to get a positive result to start our season.

“I expect the teams at the bottom, ourselves included, will improve and start picking up points at some point. It sounds basic but we need to score and stop our opponents from scoring.”

Lowe acknowledges that he will ultimately be judged by the team’s results this season. “Ultimately, that’s how football goes, players win matches and coaches lose them,” Lowe said.

“I’m strong enough in character to take that responsibility on board. I’ll take the brunt of the criticism aimed at the team. It’s early days still and we must improve and do better.”

Devonshire Cougars take on St George’s tonight at Devonshire Recreation Club at 9pm, while tomorrow evening Onions face Somerset Trojans at Goose Gosling Field.

On Sunday, Town are at home to North Village, while PHC Zebras welcome Robin Hood to Southampton Oval.

In the First Division, Boulevard play X-Roads at Police Field, while Devonshire Colts are away to Ireland Island Rangers at Malabar. Somerset Eagles take on Young Men’s Social Club at White Hill, and BAA Wanderers are at home to Paget Lions.