Leamington FC are aiming to still be in the promotion chase when league “settles down”

Brakes, currently in fourth place in the Southern League, have taken 12 points from their first six matches and are unbeaten.

This encouraging start is a far cry from last season’s early run of results, which left them languishing in 16th place after they had won just two games in their first eight.

“It’s nice to get on a little run and we want to keep it going,” said Holleran.

“The first ten games are often very hectic and played at 100 miles per hour and it takes a while for the league to settle down.

“After that it is important to be in touch and be in the pack.”

Holleran said a better balance to the side and the addition of two or three important players has set Brakes in better stead for the beginning of this campaign in comparison to last season.

He said he would have taken ten points from the first half-dozen games and is therefore very pleased with results so far.

He also praised his players for their efforts in the 2-1 win at home to league leaders AFC Totton on Saturday.

“It was a fantastic performance against a good side and our levels were spot on.

“As an attacking force it was as well as we have played this year and we really opened them up a number of times.”

Having taken maximum points from their home fixtures Leamington have had a tougher time on the road, drawing all three away games.

Holleran said he has no complaints about his side’s draws at Hemel Hempstead and Stourbridge but he believes they should have taken all three points in their last match at Redditch.

“It was the first time this year that we came away thinking we had thrown away two points.

“We couldn’t argue with the other two draws but we were in a winning position at Redditch and we didn’t look in any danger.

“It would be nice to get the first away win at Oxford this weekend but they’ve got some good players and it’s a tough place to go.”

Ben Mackey played for ten minutes against Redditch and he is continuing his rehabilitation.

Holleran said a break from midweek fixtures over the next seven days will aid the striker’s recovery.

Otherwise the Leamington manager has no injury concerns ahead of the the trip to Oxford City (3pm), who lie in 11th place.

For match travel details go online. www.leamingtonfc.co.uk