Toolstation NCEL Division One
Chris Bolder says North Ferriby are unfazed by the victory over title rivals Hallam last Saturday.
Danny Buttle’s second half goal enabled Ferriby to clip the wings of Craig Denton’s men but Bolder said his men aren’t getting carried away.
“Of course in the grand scheme of things when you look at it and you look at the opposition, it goes down as a huge win,” Bolder told Non League Yorkshire.
“But for us we were building the game up as just another three points and it is.
“We want to get promoted at the end of the season so for us the opposition is irrelevant.
“We take every game under the impression that we aim to get three points.
“It looks like a huge victory because it is against a team that is going to be there or there abouts at the end of the season.
“But for us they are all important.
“The players aren’t daft and they knew we were playing against a team in and around us and who are in great form and scoring a lot of goals.
“We addressed it at training when we spoke about the game and we said it was another game and another three points at stake.
“We have players who have been there and done it and had success at other clubs.
“They know what it takes and what it is all about and we all have the same objective.”
Ferriby are in second place – level on points with surprise leaders Rossington Main.
Two years ago during the first curtailed campaign, Ferriby’s start to the season was sluggish.
Bolder feels his side are in better place at this stage than 2019.
“We didn’t start the (2019/20) season great,” he said.
“The whole level was a learning curve for everyone and it took us a bit of time to adapt.
“Once the season got curtailed we’ve had one defeat in 23 and in great form and we were pushing on.
“I think if the season had continued we would have achieved our objective.
“If you compare it to where we are now; we understand where we are going and it is a much stronger start.
“We’re undefeated in 15 league games and we have the best defensive record in the league.
“We’re in good shape.
“There’s plenty of teams still involved and you can probably go down to sixth at the minute.
“You’re always going to get shocks which we have seen already.
“It is a strange league and sometimes it throws up crazy results.
“It is still early doors but we’re in a good position.”
A recent success story from Ferriby is the emergence of forward Josh Whiteley.
Whiteley is one of those hidden gems from Step 7 – although Glasshoughton Welfare take the credit as they spotted him and had him for a few weeks before Ferriby pounced to sign him.
“We had him watched a couple of times and we were impressed with the attributes he brings,” he said.
“We played against him when he played for Glasshoughton and we were hugely impressed.
“He has slotted straight in.
“He’s a great character, a great person off-the-pitch and the attributes he brings on-the-pitch are there for all to see.
“He’s been a valuable addition.
“(Jumping from the top of Step 7 to NCEL Division One mid-season) is not done often but there are probably players like Josh waiting for that opportunity.
“It is brilliant for him to come in and hopefully it will give people more drive (to make the step-up).”
Whiteley and Pickering Town star Jackson Jowett are the two most recent new recruits and Bolder suggested that there could be further signings in the coming months.
“We’ve said all along that we are kind of on the lookout,” he said.
“We’re happy with the squad, absolutely.
“But if there is someone who is going to potentially improve competition for places then why we wouldn’t we bring them in.
“It raises the game of everyone, no-one is comfortable so if players come available and we think they are going to benefit us then we’ll enquire about them.”
Next up for Ferriby is the trip to Lee Morris’ Armthorpe Welfare tomorrow.
“I know their manager Mozza really well and he has done fantastic with them,” Bolder added.
“They have picked up some strange results in the sense that some games have been really close and then some they have won comfortably.
“It will be a really tough game.
“The last time we went there we came unstuck so we won’t be taking anything for granted.”