Crucial time for Angels

North Walsham joint-manager Riki Chase believes his side are entering the key phase of the season as they look to maintain their advantage in the Anglian Combination Premier Division.

Over the next seven weekends The Angels are due to face all four of the sides currently locked together on 23 points - all six points behind leaders Walsham. This Saturday they travel to Blofield, who are further behind on 20 points, but have a host of games in hand and could yet emerge as title challengers.

Chase said: 'It's been a good start to the season, but we are more than aware that it's only the halfway stage. We're playing some of the teams below us in the next few weeks and after that we'll have a clearer picture of where we are. It's a slightly false position we are in because the teams below us have games in hand and if they win those they would go above us. The next few weeks are crucial.'

Walsham have never won the Premier Division title and Chase is urging his young side not to get carried away with their lofty position. They appear to be back on track with three successive wins in their last three games, following their exit from the Norfolk Senior Cup at the hands of Ridgeons League Premier Division side Dereham.

Chase believes that result has actually helped his team regain their focus following a slump in league form in the build-up to the tie: 'I think some of the younger lads were getting carried away with where we were in the league and were concentrating too much on the cup tie,' he said. 'That defeat was actually a bit of a turning point as it helped us get our focus back on the league.'

Despite having just two players over the age of 25 at his disposal, Chase is refusing to contemplate bringing in more experienced reinforcements for the run-in: 'We'll stick with what we've got,' he said. 'They are predominantly local boys and we have a big enough squad at the moment.'