Holker Old Boys manager Gary Fawcett believes that his team's start to the campaign proves they have shaken off the disappointment of defeat in the Division One play-offs at the hands of Hanley Town last season.

Monday night's 3-0 win at Daisy Hill was the Old Boys' fourth straight victory since the season began, and Gary says that all his close season planning was geared towards hitting the ground running and bouncing back from their play off setback.

"We had a good chat after the Hanley game", said Gary. "We were all disappointed, and we had a good team session where we had a few beers and reflected on it, and we all made the decision that we all wanted to give this season a really good go.

"I knew we were close last season, and on a better day at Hanley we might have won it, and I felt if I kept the squad together with a couple of additions we'd be ready to go again, and I've managed to do that.

"Jordan Brough is back, who was injured most of last season, Dave Swarbrick is back and Mike Rushton is back from Kendal Town, and they will strengthen the squad".

As well as boosting the squad numbers, one key area that Gary focussed on was his preparation for the season.

"One of the main things I looked at was pre-season because we didn't think we hit the ground running last season like we should have done.

"I knew if we could get a good pre-season, get some good quality games under our belt and get the match fitness up, I thought we might be able to push teams.

"I feel we did that, and had a pre-season which I think has helped us coming into these early games. Our fitness is good and we have started really well".

Now, the challenge for the team is to keep the run going, but Gary is under no illusions about the competitive nature of Division One this season.

"I think it will be really tight this season", he said. "I think there is strength right throughout the division, and you are never going to get an easy game, they will all be hard.

"But we've had a good start, we've scored goals at crucial times which have killed the games, and that has helped get confidence up and drive us on.

"You know at some point you are going to go through a sticky patch, every team does, but we've got points on the board and that's what we wanted".

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