Boss says hard work, preparation and fitness levels are the key to Ollerton Town's great start to the season

Boss Dave Winter believes good fitness levels and preparation are behind Ollerton Town’s great start to the season.
Levi Owen has playes a key part in Ollerton's brilliant defence.Levi Owen has playes a key part in Ollerton's brilliant defence.
Levi Owen has playes a key part in Ollerton's brilliant defence.

Town are the surprise leaders in the East Midlands Counties League with seven wins from their first nine games.

It is an impressive turnaround for the Walesby Lane side who joined the league this season following a league restructuring.

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“We had lads in training since June 15 and we played nine friendies before the first game so we were nice and fit,” said Winter.

“The squad have been together a long time. When we played Barrow in our first game, they had only played one friendly to our nine games.

“We just assumed other teams had done the same as us, but they hadn’t so it gave us a good start. We were outstanding in our first few games.

“We were very proactive at getting everything in place. The majority of our squad have trained together for a long time.

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“We were happy and prepared to go. That has been a key for us.”

The side’s success has been built on a miserly defence which has conceded just three league goals all season.

And Winter believes that that success is the culmination of hard work over a number of seasons.

“The defence has been on an upward trajectory for three years,” he added. “We had a decent record last year before the league was null and voided.

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“The previous season we had improved no end so it's been a work in progress. Having a consistent goalkeeper in Levi Owen, who turns up each week is massive.

“The back line has been playing together regularly and that is a key.

“We had a plan this year to play 4-3-3 and an aggressive pressing game and we have defended well from the front.

“When you see your three forwarrds pressing for 90 mins, it's great to see.

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“Someone called Sadio Mane one of the best defenders in the world in commentary, I said to the lads how we need to take a look at that and now we have a set of forwards and midfielders who graft for 90 minutes.

“The back line is like the last line of defence. We have really improved and it's a great defensive record at any level.

“It's something I’m proud of and we probably still dont give Levi enough respect. They all deserve plaudits for it, they are fantastic.”

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