Room for improvement

That's the opinion of manager Dave Twite who is pleased with his team's progress so far this season, but still wants more from his players.

In recent weeks Winsford have drawn against league favourites Cammel Laird, beaten the league leaders Padiham and moved into second place in the table with a game in hand.

But Twite is convinced his team can improve - even after seeing them win 4-0 against Cheadle Town at the weekend.

Twite said: "We've got to keep working hard.

"We're picking up the training to twice a week because that's a big factor and we can only get fitter.

"We've also got to make sure we don't become over confident.

"Against Cheadle I had to have a go at the lads during the match because they started to take things a bit easy and to be honest we could have had three or four more goals.

"A couple of the lads on the line were laughing and joking and you can't have that - we can't afford to ease up.

"You can bet that Padiham, Cammel Laird and Silsden will stay at the top pushing on and we have to do the same, there's still a lot of hard work to do."

One factor Twite doens't have to worry about now is scoring goals as the Blues have hit seven in the past two games.

The arrival of former Middlewich striker Rob Hopley has been a big factor in that with the front man scoring twice in his first three games for the club.

But it is his overall contribution to the team that Twite feels has opened the floodgates.

He added: "Rob has made a massive difference to us because he is giving the midfield something to play at.

"He makes intelligent runs and allows others around him to play.

"He's got good pace and with clever movement he gets into positions were midfielders like Quinn and Harrison can find him.

"Essentially he is making the others play better."

And Winsford will need all of Hopley's skill if they are to overcome the challenge posed by fourth-in-the-table Silsden on Saturday although Twite has a full squad to choose from.