Bury Town boss Ben Chenery admits he didn’t think his side would start as well as they have this season.

The Blues travel to Ryman Division One North basement club Haringey Borough this afternoon (kick-off 3pm) with an unbeaten tag, after winning four and drawing four of their opening eight league games.

Reason for Chenery to be delighted then, following a difficult 2014/15 season which saw the Blues get relegated.

“We have exceeded where we’d thought we’d be,” said Chenery, whose side conceded a late penalty in the midweek 1-1 draw with Dereham Town.

“We’ve made the odd mistake, but the players deserve to be where they are (sixth in the league).

“As a club, we must cherish our unbeaten tag and look after it.”

Chenery continued: “The team ethic has been great this season, we have a great togetherness and everyone is working towards a common goal.

“Winning breeds confidence, and that’s certainly the case here at the minute.

“It was difficult last season. I learnt a lot about myself and I learnt a lot about my players – some are still here, some are not.

“What happened has made us stronger and we are playing football the right way – by working hard and enjoying it.”

Elsewhere in the Ryman North, AFC Sudbury entertain Maldon & Tiptree with a new goalscoring midfielder on board. Sam Bantick, a player who helped prevent the Yellows from succeeding in the play-offs last season, has joined forces at the Wardale Williams Stadium.

Bantick scored 18 goals as Brentwood won the lottery of the play-offs, only for the midfielder to follow boss Adam Flanagan in joining National South side Concord Rangers in the summer.

But Bantick has found opportunities limited at Step 2 level, with Sudbury boss Jamie Godbold quick to snap up the player who made it into the 2014/15 Ryman North Team of the Season.

“We are hopeful Sam can rediscover the form he showed for Brentwood,” said Godbold.

“He joins what is a fantastic squad, and is the type of player we are after.

“We have good strength in depth in all areas and Sam is another goalscoring midfielder (to add to current AFC players Craig Parker and Ollie Canfer) we hope can add us something.”

Bantick could make his debut today, with free-scoring Parker away on holiday.

Parker has been in inspired form for Sudbury this season, and with nine goals to his name, will be a big miss this afternoon.

Godbold insists his table-toppers will get the business done without their star man, despite being wary of a Maldon & Tiptree side under the command of former Ipswich Town and Colchester United defender David Wright.

“It’ll be a diffciult game for us,” he added. “They’ve picked up some good results and have a good young side mixed with some senior players as well.”

Elsewhere in the division, Witham Town visit Harlow Town, while Brightlingsea Regent travel to Romford, and Heybridge Swifts host Thurrock.

All games kick off at 3pm.