AFC Renegades head to Nailsworth Town on Saturday for a top-of-the-table clash in Division Six of the Stroud League, with club founder Andrew Bullen saying: “We’ll give it a right good go.”

Renegades moved to the top of the pile at the weekend following their 3-2 win at home to Horsley United 3rds, while previous pace-setters Nailsworth dropped to third after losing 4-1 at home to Stratton United Reserves.

Stratton are still very much in the title race – they are level on points with Renegades having played one more game – while Nailsworth are a point behind the top two but with games in hand on both.

The top two win automatic promotion with the third-placed team going into the play-offs, so it’s all to play for as the season moves into the closing stages.

Bullen, who set up Renegades in 2013, was in upbeat mood when he spoke to The Local Answer, even though his team will not be at full strength this weekend.

“We’ve got about half our side missing through injuries or unavailability,” he said. “But Nailsworth lost on Saturday so it’s all to play for.”

Bullen, a goalkeeper, is one of those sidelined through injury. “I’ve got a frozen shoulder,” he said. “I could be out for 18 months.”

In-form goalscorer Richard Bridges, who was on target against Horsley, is also likely to be unavailable for the rest of the season.

However, player/manager Shance Cashman, who has played in every league game this season, will again have a key role to play as Renegades look to cement their position at the top.

And to be leading the way at this stage of the season is certainly impressive for a club who were forced to disband their first team at the end of last season.

“They were playing in Division Two,” said 44-year-old Bullen, who is also the club’s secretary. “This season we’re just concentrating on rebuilding. It’s all about stability.”

They’re doing a bit better than that, of course, as you might expect of a club that have enjoyed plenty of success since starting off life in the Gloucester Sunday League before switching to Saturday football when they joined the Cheltenham League.

This is their third season in Stroud League and after playing Nailsworth on Saturday they will have five league games remaining. Nailsworth, meanwhile, will have seven games to play.