Table-topping Whaddon United host closest rivals Rodborough Old Boys on Saturday, knowing that a victory would enhance their position as title favourites in Division Two of the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League.

Three points would also ensure that their Christmas party, which will take place at the Beehive in Prestbury on Saturday evening, will go with just that bit more of a swing.

Whaddon hold a seven-point advantage having won 11 and drawn one of their 12 league games.

The draw was at home to third-placed Staunton & Corse at the end of last month – Staunton trail Whaddon by nine points – and manager Kev Taylor said: “We’re flying at the moment, everybody is enjoying it, everybody is playing well.”

This is Whaddon’s first season back in the Northern Senior League, after running away with the Cheltenham League last time out.

They also won the Cheltenham League the previous season, too, and have plenty in common with their opponents on Saturday because Rodborough are also new to the level after winning Division One of the Stroud League in 2022/23.

The two teams met at Rodborough in August with Taylor saying: “This is a massive game for us, they gave us an absolute scare earlier in the season. It was 3-3 at half-time before we picked it up in the second half and won 5-3.”

That remains Rodborough’s only defeat of the league campaign and Taylor added: “We want challenging games. We were 2-0 down against Staunton but once we got one back I knew we wouldn’t lose. They're a very big side but we were all over them at the end.”

Taylor, who is assisted by Elliott Sheering, said he was always confident that Whaddon would do well in the 15-strong division this season.

“We knew we had the capability to move up and we’ve improved as a team,” he said. “We’ve added to the squad and while we’ve got a good number of experienced players, we’ve got some good younger ones too, it’s a good mix.”

Jordan Mitchell and Ryan Vincent have been banging in the goals, while Riley Butt has been controlling things in the middle of the park.

“We want to be at the top of the table,” continued Taylor. “The club are in a healthy state but it’s a long season. Fortunately, we’ve got a good reserve team as well.”