Buoyed by recent performances and results, Woodbridge Town boss Jamie Scales has been left delighted by his young squad of late as the Woodpeckers look to keep on building confidence and momentum in the Thurlow Nunn First Division.

Following a much-needed league triumph over Needham Market reserves earlier in the month, Woodbridge have gone from strength to strength in the last week as a thrilling 2-2 draw with Stowmarket Town as well as a 2-1 midweek success over Team Bury in the League Cup leaves the camp at Notcutts Park a happy one, growing in self-belief.

“The place is a good one to be at, at the minute,” declared Scales, who took over from Lee Elliston in the summer.

“Obviously we have a lot of young lads here and it’s taken a while for things to shape up and settle down.

“There’s no doubt that the players are all technically very good, it’s just the ugly side of things that they’ve struggled to grasp previously. But in the last three-and-a-half games they’ve done that, and they’ve learnt that they have to work hard first before they can move forward.”

Whereas wins over other youthful-looking sides in Needham Market reserves and Team Bury please Scales no end, he also draws smiles from the performance and result against a far more experienced Stowmarket Town side expected to be in the mix at the top end of the season come May.

“We’ve given the top teams in the league good games this season without a final product, but the latest results have given the lads a bit more self-belief.

“We matched Stowmarket’s work-rate and as a result dug in and got a good draw. We’re building confidence and momentum all the time, and at the minute, I couldn’t be more proud of the players.”

Scales lost key trio Max Hutchings, George Cooper, and Alex Greggor to university last Saturday but although admitting they’ll be missed, the Woodbridge boss doesn’t necessarily think their departures will be a bad thing.

“Max, George, and Alex are all great players for us and we’ll welcome them back on the odd occasion but in some ways it’ll be nice as now I know the squad I’ve got to work with,” added Scales.

“After an unsettled summer, we haven’t really had that stability but it looks like we’re starting to get that now.”

The Woodpeckers sit in 15th position in the league but Scales is now only looking up.

“If we can finish mid-table that’ll be a realistic achievement for us and a bit of success before we look to push on and make the future bright again,” confirmed Scales.

With a new kit sponsor (pictured) in Lockdales on board, Woodbridge visit Halstead Town tomorrow, a side that have only lost once in the league so far this season.

But the Peckers certainly have nothing to fear, especially if player-manager Scales decides to keep his place in the team after helping them to success against Stowmarket and Team Bury!

The 34-year-old centre half is easily the most experienced player at the club, with 20-year-old Luke Moss, the second oldest individual in the recent game against Stow.

With his tongue in his cheek, Scales, Woodbridge Town through and through, added: “I didn’t really want to play at the start of the season but I think they (the players) needed it - I’ve come in and helped them, acting as a sort of father-figure if you like, organising and giving them the confidence they need.”