Eccleshill feel they are on the up again at the moment on the rollercoaster that is a season in football at any club around the country.

Peaks and troughs are part and parcel of the game and with the young Eagles squad at Plumpton Park it was evident that this term's ride would be an eventful one.

Assistant manager Andy Patterson said: "We are looking for a decent period over Christmas with three big games. Ideally we want a maximum nine points but we do live in the real world.

"Our city rivals Liversedge have proved that a bit of consistency is all it takes to be up there. If we can get a prolonged unbeaten run going we can be mingling with the top six clubs in this division.

"The players have to believe in themselves to make that happen. They are good but they are young and sometimes that goes against you. On the other hand, as kids they have got no fear."

Patterson knows United have a good group of players and insists that if they keep things ticking over and continue in the same vein the points will come.

But he stressed: "We need to improve our home form, that is a definite.

"As the season has progressed we have seen nothing that suggests we are not capable of doing some damage in this league. The players are learning and improving every step of the way.

"Back in August the target was to finish in the top eight but we have set our sights a bit higher since then."

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