Handsworth Parramore chief Russ Eagle says the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division is the strongest it has been for six or seven seasons
The excitement surrounding Handsworth Parramore’s home Toolstation NCEL Premier Division clash with promotion-chasers Tadcaster Albion underlines the strength of the league.
That’s the view of the league leaders’ manager Russ Eagle, whose side are unbeaten heading into the match.
Tadcaster lost their opening day fixture with Shaw Lane Aquaforce, but have won their last three league games so the game has captured the attention.
“It’s fantastic for the league is tomorrow’s game,” Eagle told Non League Yorkshire.
“There’s been some beauties already and there’s a few more to come.
“It keeps everyone on their mettle and I just hope the league doesn’t pan out into a top half and bottom half.
“I don’t want to see the mid-table and bottom half teams to drop off because how the league has started, it is probably the best it has been for five or six seasons, quite easily.
“You look at the top eight or top ten and you think ‘we have to be on our mettle’ so it is good.
“There is going to six or eight teams that are going to be there or thereabouts
“With six games gone, you can see the top eight and I think top eight will stay the top eight as the season goes on.
“It is just who maintains it, and doesn’t have a bad patch for a long period.
“My priorities are what I said at the beginning of the month, we get through September and then have a look at where we are and not be worried about other teams.”
Handsworth went top of the table on Wednesday night after a resounding 4-1 win at Albion Sports.
Spurred on by attacking midfielder Nicky Travis, Handsworth cruised to victory.
Parramore have only lost one game since the campaign began – the FA Cup Preliminary Round defeat at Carlton Town last month.
Eagle is really happy with how the season has unfolded in the first month and whilst he admits that the visit of Tadcaster is not a must-win game, he says his side out to win it.
“We’re unbeaten and other teams have to step up and do the same,” he said.
“I said at the beginning of last season that we didn’t get the points on the board because we were playing cup games which meant other teams were able to get a foothold.
“I’m happy that we have our foothold, but with the teams around you can’t afford to drop points.
“Marshy (Paul Marshall) is coming to us on Saturday and that puts a little bit more pressure on him because he has saw us win on Wednesday.
“I don’t think it is a must-win game, but if you ask me Sunday morning and we’ve lost, I’ll be devastated.
“If we win and it’s Sunday morning, I won’t really mind. I’m going out to win it though.
“Nobody wants to lose, but I don’t do cagey. I will set up the same way (as Wednesday night) with the more-or-less the same personnel.
“We are at home. Marshy has probably got a game-plan and I’ve got a game-plan because I’m at home which will reverse when we go to Taddy.
“It’s not the bee-all and end-all (winning tomorrow).”