Cleadon SC manager Doug Key can hardly believe the transformation which has taken place this season.

Currently, the South Tynesiders are just a point off leaders New Marske following nine games and have yet to play a fixture on their Jack Clark Park pitch.

"We have played every game away from home and apart from a hiccup when we were torn apart by North Shields at Ralph Gardner Park, we have done brilliantly," exclaimed Key, who doubles up as manager and secretary.

To date, Cleadon have won six, drawn one and lost just one of their nine games and have scored 24 goals in the process. "If you take out the match at North Shields when we crashed 7-0, we have only conceded nine goals and obviously we deserve to be up there at the top competing with the best.

"I think the hard work which was put in during the close season is paying dividends and the lads are not giving up. We had 17 there on Tuesday night, two were injured and two were working so it was a very good turn out.

"I think we are as fit as any side in the league and it has struck me that during the final 20 minutes we seem to be lasting the pace better than our opponents," claimed Key.

One of Cleadon's problems in the past has been a lack of goals from midfield but so far at least nine have come from non-striking positions. "This has been a big plus but so too has the form of Andrew Quinn who is getting better game by game.

"He has already scored 11 goals in nine outings and has formed an excellent partnership up front with Mark Johnson," Key added.

The manager is also aware that only two cautions have been handed out this season - both to the same player. "I have warned the lads that I will not tolerate dissent.

"We were second in the Fair Play award last season which went to Ferryhill Athletic and I mean to be at the top of the pile this time. You cannot win matches if players are sitting in the dressing room," claimed Key.

New Marske moved to the top of the table for the first time this season with last Saturday's victory over Washington Nissan UK. They and North Shields are the only unbeaten sides and it looks as if the pair will once again be among the front-runners for honours.

But Key warns that Cleadon, not one of the most successful clubs in recent seasons, should not be ruled out. "These might be early days but we have made a great start, team spirit and confidence is fantastic and we all believe we can keep this run going," enthused Key.

Tomorrow's fixtures

Birtley Town v Whitehaven, Cleadon SC v Darlington RA, Ferryhill Athletic v Wolviston, Jarrow v Annfield Plain, New Marske v Harton and Westoe, Ryhope CW v WAshington Nissan UK, Stokesley SC v North Shields, Windscale v Barnard Castle Glaxo.