CAMPION have made a great start to the season, sitting top of the Toolstation Northern Counties East League Division One table with two wins from two.

And their striking options are sure to have opponents running scared, with Campion’s joint-manager Lee Ashforth quick to praise his ‘fab five’.

Experienced striker Aidan Kirby got the ball rolling, scoring the only goal in their opening day 1-0 home win against a strong Glasshoughton Welfare side last weekend.

It was then the turn of new boys Paddy Sykes and Sean Hunter, who netted three of the goals in a thumping 4-1 win at Worsbrough Bridge Athletic on Tuesday.

Ashforth said: “We don’t really look at the league table just yet but it is important to get off to a good start, as we began poorly last year, so ended up chasing teams for promotion.

“It was nice to get a good win against a really tough side in Glasshoughton and away at Worsbrough is never easy, especially in midweek, so we’re really happy.”

Chatting about Kirby, Hunter and his other strikers, Ashforth added: “Aidan’s a good centre forward.

“We brought him in towards the end of last season (from Silsden) and made sure we kept him for this campaign.

“We’ve also brought in Sean and Paddy up front, and all three of them have scored in our first two games, which is pleasing.

“Mohammad Qasim is back in contention this weekend and Marcus Day is on his way back too. It means we've got five very good centre forwards who will all be fighting for places.

“Back to Sean, he’s getting better with every game. He had a disjointed pre-season at a couple of different clubs, where he wasn’t really getting game time.

“He was probably four to five weeks behind the others and he still needs a couple of games to get back up to full match fitness.

“But he’s started well and got off the mark on Tuesday.

“All of our centre forwards are quality and if we keep plenty of clean sheets at the other end, we’re confident we’ll continue to do well.”

Speaking of his defence, Ashforth added: “We’ve just brought in a keeper in Steve Kerr. He’s got plenty of experience and done very well in his first couple of games.

“We’ve got a good back four and a couple of lads who are champing at the bit to get in there and are good enough.”

The whole team will need to be at their best if Campion are to win at home to Dronfield Town today.

Ashforth said: “We went to Dronfield towards the end of last season and they beat us comfortably (3-0).

“We had a bad day at the office then, but they’ve already travelled to Skegness this season, many people’s favourites to win the league, and beaten them 3-1.

“It’s a massive test against what is always a good side. We have to perform like we did in the first two games.

“We need to make sure home advantage helps. Last season we were very good at home and we’ve got to be again to have any chance of being up there.

“Hopefully, we’ll give a good account of ourselves and get the three points.”

Albion Sports, who have just signed Finn Donovan from Emley, and Liversedge are both at home in the NCEL Premier Division today. They play Bottesford Town and Barton Town respectively.

Eccleshill United, having lost their first game 2-0 at home to Goole AFC, will be looking to bounce back with a win at Penistone Church, while Thackley are away to Bridlington Town.

Finally, Silsden travel to Yorkshire Amateur.