HARWICH and Parkeston boss Kieron Shelley sees no reason why the club’s explosive form should end – and believes there are no weak links in his Shrimpers squad.

Incredibly, the Royal Oak side have won 11 Thurlow Nunn League first division south matches in a row, most recently an important 1-0 victory against May and Baker on Saturday.

They are fourth in the table and only seven points behind leaders Hashtag United, with three games in hand.

Shelley is keeping his feet on the ground but believes his side will take some stopping.

“We always fancy ourselves to score but now we’ve learnt how to defend a lead. That’s crucial because conceding goals had been our Achilles heel,” said Shelley.

“We’ve only conceded three goals in eight games and that’s because we’re playing with confidence, learning and growing.

“We’ve turned a corner in terms of game management.

“Everyone knows their role in the team and if they have to adapt to something different, they give 100%.

“The boys never say die and I appreciate everything they’re doing for me and the club, buying into what we’re trying to achieve.

“To be honest, I don’t see a weak link at the moment.

“We’ve got a strong squad, competition for places and everyone who was on the bench at the weekend could have been in the starting 11.

“We’re not getting obsessive about the table, as to who’s playing who and how many points we are behind such and such.

“For us, it’s still about two things – who we’re playing and what we have to do to beat them.

“It’s a case of taking it game by game, week by week.

“Winning 11 in a row is a real achievement and something the whole club and town should be proud of, though, because we’re all pulling in the same direction.

“Everyone has been absolutely brilliant and we’re all in it together.”

Tyler Rose scored the winning goal against fifth-placed May and Baker on Saturday.

It was a crucial result that put Harwich five points clear of their visitors, although May and Baker have only played 19 games compared to the Shrimpers’ 22.

“It was the most enjoyable game since I’ve been at Harwich and a fantastic advert for the Thurlow Nunn League,” said Shelley.

“Both sides tried to play football and you could tell it meant everything to both sets of players. They knew what was at stake.

“It was end to end and there were some big challenges and headers.

“Thankfully, the boys executed our gameplan to the letter.”

In a bizarre quirk of the fixtures, Harwich’s next five games are all away – starting with this weekend’s short trip to Wivenhoe Town.

After that they go to Halstead Town, Fire United, Wormley Rovers and Coggeshall United, before returning to the Royal Oak to play Frenford on March 2.

They then have two more away games, at Tendring neighbours Brightlingsea Regent Reserves and Holland FC.

“It’s crazy really, because we’re a club that survive on people coming through the door,” added Shelley.

“That said, (chairman) Tony (Armstrong) and the people that run the club do such a good job and they’re prepared for a spell like this.

“It shows what a good place we’re in as a club.”

Shelley had special praise for midfielder Elliot Johnson, “immense” defender Harvey Cowler and in-form goalkeeper Sam Felgate.

He also praised the consistency of Brad Westley, adding: "He's been playing so well and been excellent every week.

"I'm so glad he's committed to the club."