IAN Boden admits he could not have dreamt of a better start to his tenure as Crosfields head coach.

Since taking over the top job at Hood Lane – initially on an interim basis after Jimmy Williams stepped down last month – Soap have won four of their five matches.

In fact, only National Conference League Division Two leaders Stanningley have beaten Crosfields since Boden took over.

Their form has propelled them into promotion contention and they currently sit fourth in the table.

Boden thinks a play-off finish is achievable, but says the players are not getting carried away.

“The guys have really stepped up and responded to the challenge,” he told the Guardian.

“I don’t think we showed our true capabilities at the start of the season, but now we’re building on each performance.

“There is still a long way to go yet, but if we carry on playing the way we are, I think a play-off place is more than achievable.

“We have a difficult couple of months ahead, with disruption throughout the team with weddings and other outside influences.

“We will be in a better place to asses once we get through that period, but the signs are hopeful if we keep the momentum we have currently.”

Indeed, only Stanningley have scored more points than Crosfields’ effort of 286 in nine games so far.

It demonstrates a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for a side that won just one of their opening four games of the 2018 campaign.

However, Boden says there is not much he has had to change.

“The team are playing with confidence again now and the balls that ran away from us are now bouncing kindly,” he said.

“There hasn’t been any massive changes in what we have been doing.

“We have put an emphasis on working for each other and being honest with ourselves.

“Tactically, we’ve stopped trying to over-play and we’ve focused on doing the basics right, which in this competition will give us the foundations we need to win games.

“I think the playing ability has always been there. Just a slight bit of tinkering has got us back on track and has shown what we’re capable of.”

Boden, who started the 2018 season as head coach of the club’s Alliance side, says his long association with the club increased his feeling of satisfaction about taking the position.

He insists, however, that his side still have plenty of work to do.

“When you start playing or coaching, you always strive to play or coach at the highest level you can,” he said.

“Being head coach of the highest-placed club in the town is a real honour.

“I have to thank the club for having faith in (assistant coach) Steve Pickersgill and I and for giving us the chance to coach.

“We need to stay strong mentally and physically and not rest on our laurels.

“We have been playing well, but there is lots of room for improvement.”