After a simply fantastic start to the season, it is Debenham LC who sit at the top of the Thurlow Nunn First Division after 10 games.

It might come as a surprise to many, but not to boss Stuart Reavell, although he does admit he is in ‘dreamland’ over his side’s start to the season.

Thus far, Reavell’s side have accumulated 22 points out of a possible 30 to lead the pack, losing just twice, with their most recent win coming on Tuesday evening – a 4-0 triumph over Needham Market Reserves.

“We’re living a bit of a dreamland,” admits the Debenham boss.

“To be top of the pile after 10 games is not a bad situation to be in I suppose!

“We’ve started fantastically. But it’s very early days, lots can happen very quickly, and we have to be realistic – and I have said that to various people at the club, including the fans and players themselves.”

Indeed, in the fixture before Tuesday night’s win, Debenham were given a bit of a reality check as they lost heavily at March Town.

“The wheels fell off slightly at March (5-1 defeat),” admits Reavell.

“But I think that probably did us some good. We bounced back with good character at Needham and I think that’s been one of our recipes for success.”

Reavell continued: “We’re a side full of hard graft.

“The players had a hard pre-season – we got them in on June 10 to make sure they hit the ground running.

“We’ve got some very good players here. We’ve got lots of players with different attributes and when it’s moulded all together, we’re a very good side.

“We had an off-day at March but I think we’re entitled to that. Overall, I couldn’t have asked for a better start, and we’ll just look to keep putting points on the board and simply do as well as we can.”

Someone who has starred since moving to Debenham from Whitton in the summer is striker James Heathcote, who has been in lethal form for the Hornets so far, scoring 13 goals in 10 games at present.

“Heathy is a really good player,” continued Reavell.

“He normally gets four chances a game and scores two. I don’t mind if he misses two chances as long as he scores the other two, because goals win games!”

One player the Hornets will miss is the very talented Jack Seccombe. He played his last game for the club on Tuesday, before leaving for university in Nottingham.

“Jack’ll be back for a month at Christmas and a month at Easter and that’ll be a big boost for us,” said Reavell.

“To have him back when we can will be fantastic. We’ll miss him as he’s a good footballer who offers a lot but it gives others a chance.”