Mark Benterman is laying down the challenge to his Halstead Town players to see if they can finish the opening month of their Thurlow Nunn League division one campaign unbeaten.

Wins against Debenham LC and Braintree Town Reserves have kept the Humbugs top of the early division one standings and Benterman wants them to add to their tally of four wins and a draw so far.

Needham Market Reserves will be the team standing between Halstead and a fifth victory tomorrow, but that is the challenge that Benterman is issuing to his players.

He said: “People have asked me if I’m surprised by the success we’ve had so far and I have to say the answer is yes.

“It’s a new side that has come together and while you are always optimistic at the start of a season, it was all about how quickly we would gel.

“However, we have hit the ground running and have taken 13 points from 15.

“Now the challenge is can we finish the first month unbeaten?

“That would be fantastic if we could, but we can’t get ahead of ourselves.”