AFTER a season of stunning football at The Causeway in John Brough’s debut season as Cinderford Town manager, the club have pushed on to take top spot in the Southern League Division One South & West with what Brough called ‘winning football’.

Town impressed many last season with their free-flowing brand of play, including chairman Ashley Saunders; who felt the side were playing some of the best football he’d seen at The Causeway.

“We are probably not playing as silky football as we did last year but we are playing winning football,” Brough said.

“We’ve only conceded two goals away from home this season and they all want to defend as a team. The players have taken on the challenge and are really performing at the moment.

“To go to Swindon Supermarine, who were third or fourth, and get that result means we’re looking good.

“Now we are at the top and it means people will want to chase us down.

“Teams will be talking about us now, which is great for the club and great for the town. I told the lads that it’s hard to get to the top but it’s even harder to stay there.”

Key to Town’s good form has been the goalscoring exploits of Gloucester City loanee Joe Parker. Parker has impressed many at Cinderford having been given a month-long spell at the club – although Brough hopes to keep hold of the forward as well as adding new faces.

“With Garyn Preen leaving, and George Lloyd still injured, [top scorer] Ethan Moore wasn’t up to speed so we need another option. Joe is someone I’ve know about for a few years and I made the call to Tim Harris and it was a no-brainer.

"He has really added goals to our game and now we have Ethan back too.

“We would like to keep him; we do need that extra body. I’ve spoken to Joe, Tim and to the chairman and hopefully it will be done this week.

"We’re hoping to retain him for at least another month.

“Gerry [Oldham, assistant manager] is going out to look at some players. He’s on an aggressive scouting mission for recruitment.

“Joe Turley goes backpacking in January and he’s playing the best football of his life at the moment.

"We’ll be talking to him and hopefully the players will be in his ear trying to convince him to stay.

“We had one player who watched the Swindon game but chose to stay at his club, which is fair enough.”

Town travel to Bristol-based Mangotsfield United this weekend in what Brough believes will be a stern test despite the current turmoil at the club.

The Mangos’ management team of Richard Thompson and Lee Barlass resigned last week, leaving them potentially manager-less for Cinderford’s visit on Saturday.

“Mangotsfield is a tough place to go. It’s never an easy game – not that there are any easy games in this league.

“The new management may be in by Saturday and that can sometimes give the place a lift.”