NEW Liversedge boss Jonathan Rimmington was impressed by the quality of the opposition despite winning both local derbies 2-1.

Rimmington was only appointed in the close season and it is his first time in the hot seat with a senior side.

A quick glance at the Toolstation Northern Counties East League Premier Division table suggests he has found the transition comfortable.

Yet he said: "It certainly hasn't been easy but I know one thing – I'm really enjoying it, no loving it, but it's been very stressful.

"It's been difficult organising squads and players have let us down. I don't think we've had an unchanged line-up yet but the lads who have come in have been terrific.

"We've dug out some great results with an average of four or five 17-year-olds in the team.

"We had good results against Thackley and Albion Sports without really playing well, yet at Handsworth I thought we were absolute class but it ended 0-0."

Rimmington feels that the result in both derbies could have gone either way and he knows that he is still on a steep learning curve.

He said: "Thackley were very good – but then they will be because they are very well coached. I think Chris Reap and Paul Clayton are excellent and it was good seeing them work from just a few yards away.

"For me, they are the best team we've played this season and they will do well. But they've had a poor start and have only won one of their five games.

"Albion are a good side – they ran us ragged. They are a very fit squad and they are relentless, their work-rate never dips.

"They bossed it late on – but then our lads are not fit, mainly because we didn't get a settled squad early enough due to players messing us about."