ECCLESHILL United boss Sean Regan gives all of the credit for their superb recent run to the players.

The Eagles took just four points from their first five league games, but they have since won 14 of their last 15 Toolstation Northern Counties East Division One games.

They are now joint second in the table with a game in hand on second-placed Yorkshire Amateur and are just two points behind leaders Knaresborough Town.

Regan’s men inflicted the first defeat of the season on Knaresborough recently with a 5-2 victory at the Mitton Group Stadium.

“We’ve been great defensively and everyone knows just how much potential we have going forward and it’s all slotting together, so full credit to the boys for that," said Regan.

“There are no big egos so the attitude throughout the squad is first class. They all get along with each other and a lot of bonds have been formed.

"They like playing and training together, they like each other’s company and that means there’s a fantastic team spirit here.”

With the way they have cut through their opponents in the division and the statistics they have racked up certainly suggests that they are prepared to run through brick walls for each other.

Regan knows that camaraderie is not just shared by his starting 11. “I have no qualms whatsoever when I have to make changes because I know that whoever comes in is as good and will fight as hard as any of the lads who have played the last six or seven games," he said.

“We’ve had to rotate the side here and there depending on the opposition and we’ve had the odd injury and suspension.

"The lads who miss out are disappointed but they get behind the team. They are happy to mix and match as they all know that they’re getting their chances and will be playing games.

“It’s mental the amount of goals that are going in (the Eagles were averaging over three and a half goals per game before last weekend’s 1-0 home win). And we’ve had three clean sheets on the trot since the Knaresborough game.

“If you’ve got that form at the back, with Antony Brown and Chris Leaver up front with Luke Harrop and Ben Hardy playing out wide supporting them, then you will win games.

“I think that our two holding midfielders Charlie Flaherty and Andy Cooper are also a big part of it. They break up play and they’re both good footballers who can beat men, go forward and pick a pass.

“Everything’s looking good but we’re not getting carried away because football has a bad habit of knocking you down.”