Needham Market are riding high, on top of the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Central, after plundering an amazing 12 goals in their first two fixtures of the season.
But manager Richard Wilkins insists that his players have “to keep their feet firmly on the ground,’ ahead of today’s visit of Barwell.
The Marketmen thrashed visiting Hitchin Town 8-1 at Bloomfields on Tuesday night, with both Joe Marsden and Luke Ingram celebrating hat-tricks, just three days after an opening day 4-0 triumph at Bedworth United.
But Wilkins is expecting a sterner test against a Barwell side who have accrued four points from their first two games, thanks to an opening day 1-1 draw against Stourbridge and a midweek 4-2 victory at Redditch United.
“It was just one of those nights when everything went for us,” explained Wilkins, with reference to the 8-1 hammering of Hitchin.
“We got the run of the ball, like a ball coming back off the bar and falling to one of our players, when last season that would probably have been cleared.
“When things are going for you, it’s vital to jump on the gravy train, which is what we have done at the start of the season.
“Against Hitchin we were very positive going forward. We looked very powerful, and it’s always going to be a funny type of second half when the scoreline is 6-1 at half-time.
“I made a couple of changes, to give others a run-out in the second half, and I was pleased that we scored a couple more goals near the end.
“It’s a good start for us, but there’s no point in celebrating anything yet.
“We have to try and keep our feet firmly on the ground, even though confidence is high and everyone is buzzing.
“Fans tend to get carried away after a couple of big wins, just as they tend to get depressed after a couple of losses. We need to keep on an even keel.
“It’s something for us to build on, although we don’t know much about the teams in this division yet.
“We didn’t know anything about Bedworth, although I gather Barwell are quite a strong, physical team,” added Wilkins.
Needham are virtually at full-strength, although defender Dan Morphew is unavailable.
Attendance: 266
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