Athletics

"Goal difference is as good as a point and I told the lads at half-time to score as many as they could,'' he said.

"After all, the result was all but settled when we were five goals ahead at the interval and I was really pleased at the professional job they did throughout. They did not let up in the second half and pressed in the search for more," enthused Smith.

The boss does not normally forecast the outcome of a fixture but he was reasonably confident that his side would see off Ferryhill. "But I impressed on the lads that the game still had to be won and that they should not be over-confident simply because they had beat Wolviston in our last game."

Smith and his assistant Paul Foster took over at Birtley before the start of last season and eventually a long successful sequence was put together. It came too late, though, to seriously challenge for the championship and this time Smith is confident that his side will be in with a shout come May.

"We are the first side to top 50 goals, averaging more than four goals a game and it is good to be four points clear at the top although New Marske have a couple of games in hand.

"Darlington RA are another side I fancy will be among the front-runners and they did very well to beat Wolviston last Saturday. Boldon CA and Wolviston are useful teams and a number of sides are likely to press all the way."

Smith played little Saturday football, preferring instead to watch Newcastle United, but he had considerable experience managing Sunday football teams when he was given the chance of taking over at Birtley.

"I had built up a fair few contacts and a good rapport with players as had Paul Foster who I brought in as my assistant. It took us a couple of months to turn things around and we struck form just a little bit too late to make an impact on the title race.

"This season, we have won all eight games played on a Saturday and when I can field my full side, I believe we are a match for any team."

Smith reckons that the signing of Derek Ord, who has played for Gateshead and Dunston Fed, has proved inspirational and the introduction of Paul Terrell has added fire power to an already formidable attack.

"Last season, our leading scorer managed just 16 yet Paul has already struck 18 in eight games. He has made a massive difference in the attack and Derek's vast experience at the back is proving invaluable.

"We now have a squad of experience and youth and there is no reason why we shouldn't challenge all the way in both the league and cup competitions," claimed Smith.