In-form Hebburn 'must remain grounded' - Kevin Bolam

The Hornets go into the game with a four-point lead at the top of the Division One table after their impressive 6-1 win at Ashington on Tuesday night.

Bolam’s men are a further four points clear of Newcastle Benfield, who are currently being kept out of the third and final promotion spot by Newton Aycliffe’s superior goal difference.

The Hornets boss reflected on an impressive start to the season and insisted that his side cannot afford to rest on their laurels as they look to secure.

He told The Gazette: “I keep saying that we are keeping every down to earth and that includes myself.

“We have done nothing yet, other than have a good start to the season, but it’s just 11 games.

“There are a lot more games to play, and there are a lot of teams in this league that will challenge up between now and the end of the season.

“The lads are very together; the changing room is very tight and long may it continue.

“But we do know that we have to remain grounded and keep doing what we are doing.”

Hebburn will be heavy favourites to secure an eighth consecutive win in all competitions against a Northallerton side that have claimed just two points from their last five league games.

However, Bolam revealed that his side will only continue their fine form if they can show that they have learnt lessons from a surprise home defeat last season.

“We slipped up a couple of times last season and I think there is a difference now,” he explained.

“We try to instil an attitude an application into the lads that they have to be at their best in every single game.

“I go back to last season and Thornaby were bottom of the league, but they rocked up at our place, got a 4-1 win and deserved it too. We guard against that, and Northallerton will get all of the respect in the world because we realise that we will have to be at it to get another result.”

Bolam could hand starts to Olly Martin and Carl Taylor after they impressed as substitutes in Tuesday night’s win at Ashington.