St Albans City manager Steve Castle admitted starting pre-season with friendlies against two Football League clubs has made his search for a new striker increasingly difficult.

City lost 5-0 to League One side Leyton Orient on Friday night and followed it up a day later with a 2-0 loss at the hands of neighbours Watford.

On both occasions the St Albans strikers rarely troubled the opposing keepers and Castle claimed he feels sorry for the trialists – stating he would “hold fire” on judging those hoping to impress the Saints manager.

“There are a few lads who have taken the eye,” Castle replied when asked about his search for a striker.

“But it is hard, especially for strikers, because they are not going to get much chance to really shine because of the nature of playing against two league sides.

“When we play Brackley Town and Hemel Hempstead and during the practice games we are having, if we can see bright things then, then we can maybe move things on, but if not, then we will keep looking.”

St Albans had three trialists start against Watford; right-back Joe Clemo, right-sided midfielder Scott Sinclair and left-sided midfielder Glodi Kweme – and there were a host more introduced in the second half.

A seven-minute hat-trick from Scott McGleish just before the break had helped Orient to a comfortable 5-0 win on Friday, but there was a noticeable improvement less than 24 hours later.

Only five players who had appeared the night before – Mark Peters, Ryan Frater, James Fisher, Inih Effiong and Drew Roberts – started the match against Watford and the defence looked much more solid.

The Hornets spent the majority of the match in the St Albans half but only managed to take the lead on 35 minutes thanks to the blistering pace of Will Buckley, whose shot was subsequently saved and captain John Eustace was able to finish in style.

Neither Scott Loach or Rene Gilmartin were really troubled in the Watford goal but veteran St Albans keeper Paul Bastock produced a string of fine saves to limit the score to 2-0 – Stephen McGinn heading in a Michael Bryan cross to double Watford’s lead.

Castle believes this pre-season is the toughest since he joined the club but claims their pre-season “starts now”, with games against clubs of similar stature.

“Without a shadow of a doubt [this is the toughest pre-season],” Castle said.

“It is really trying in lots of ways. What is pleasing though, is that there are a lot of familiar faces who have been very loyal to the football club and very loyal to me.

“I am very respectful of that and grateful and if we can add to that then there will be a base of a solid foundation and if we can add some flair, whether it be loan signings I don’t know, then we will be ok.”

St Albans travel to Brackley Town tonight, Waltham Abbey next Tuesday and then welcome Crawley Town to Clarence Park on Saturday, July 31.