Hebburn Town boss has this message for his side after impressive start to the season

Tuesday night’s home win against Whickham saw the Hornets continued their perfect start to the league season and they currently sit at the top of the Northern League Division One table.

The postponement of Saturday’s league game against FA Vase Final opponents Consett offers Bolam and his squad a moment of respite in what has been a hectic start to the new campaign.

It also offered the Hornets boss a chance to reflect on a “fantastic” opening to the bid to secure promotion into the Northern Premier League’s second tier.

He told The Gazette: “We were tested by Whickham in midweek and they caused us a lot of problems.

“But we have worked on the defensive side of our game because that goals against column is always important at the end of the season.

“That is something we had to work on, and I think we have seen the results of that work during a fantastic start to the season.

“We want to continue with the momentum that has been created.

“Obviously we are disappointed that the game is off on Saturday, we want the games to keep coming now because we are confident in ourselves right now.”

Despite the positive start to the season, Bolam warned his squad that a “long hard slog” still lies ahead of them.

Hebburn are just four games into a 38-game Division One campaign and are still to enter in this season’s FA Vase, Durham Challenge Cup and Northern League Division One Cup.

There is also the small matter of their FA Vase Final meeting with Consett as the Football Association continue to deliberate over a date for the Wembley showdown.

Bolam said: “It’s been challenging so far; we are functioning with 18 outfield players and it’s going to be a long hard slog.

“You look at everything going on around football and it’s difficult for everyone involved.

“We just have to make sure we are fit and ready for every game and take it one game at a time throughout the season.”