North West Counties First Division North
Roy Mason feels Steeton have turned a corner after and up and down opening three months to the season.
Steeton flew out of the blocks with a first day victory but the Keighley-based side have been only able to win more three more of their ten league games so far.
The recent West Riding County Cup defeat of local rivals Silsden ended a slump and Mason said that was the springboard.
“We had a really good start against Cleator Moor Celtic but there was no way I was getting carried away after that,” Mason told Non League Yorkshire.
“No disrespect to them but they were struggling a little bit at the time and they didn’t play particularly well.
“We probably got lucky playing them at a good time.
“With having a young side confidence can be a big thing and maybe one-or-two went into the next couple of games over-confident.
“It back-fired on us.
“I think we have managed to strengthen some of the areas we needed to and we have changed things around a little bit and it has paid dividends for us.
“In the last few games we have tried a different system and it has worked for us.
“We had to tweak it on Saturday because we didn’t have the wide personnel but we tried another system of packing the midfield and it worked for us.
“Some of our key players weren’t performing as well they could have done early on by their own admissions and they’re now performing.
“I think the big turning point was the Silsden game.
“The lads have taken a lot of confidence from that and winning has become a habit.
“In the last few games I don’t think there has been that seed of doubt when the opposition has scored.”
Steeton now face the ultimate test with the home clash against unstoppable leaders Pilkington who have won all nine of their league games.
“At some point they’re going to lose,” Mason said.
“I’d be surprised if anyone goes the whole season unbeaten.
“I said at the start of the season that anyone can beat anyone.
“Pilkington have been consistent from the word go.
“They’ve won every game and even though they lost in the FA Vase, it was on penalties.
“We know it is going to be a very tough game for us.
“We have to play our game and let them worry about us.
“We’re on a good roll and we have to be confident we can go out and get something from the game.
“We know that it is our toughest test this season but we’re up for it.”
One reason for the upturn in fortunes is player recruitment.
Mason has recruited Nathan Tayo, Jordan Townend, Jonathan Hodgkinson and Foley Nkem recently and he says the signings have made a big difference.
“You asked me the question in pre-season ‘was I happy with player recruitment’ and no I wasn’t and I did say that we knew our place in the pecking order and sometimes you have to play a bit of a waiting game at this level,” he said.
“You have to wait to see which players aren’t getting games at other clubs.
“Things generally change around the end of September and October time and I think that has proved to be the case.
“In the last few weeks we have brought in quite a few players that will strengthen us.
“That said, we haven’t had them all available since they have signed but it has helped us show the other lads that there is a bit of competition for places now.”