Russell Penn warns Halesowen Town not to rest on their laurels as promotion push continues
Russell Penn has warned his in-form Halesowen Town side not to "rest on their laurels" as they look to maintain their promotion push.
The Yeltz will aim to secure a fourth consecutive Southern Central Premier victory when they visit St Ives Town tomorrow.
Penn's side sit fourth in the standings, but the Halesowen boss is mindful of how quickly the picture can change with several teams close behind.
Issuing a message to his players, Penn said: "Don't rest on your laurels and let's continue the hard work we have been doing. Winning becomes a habit and we have got to continue that.
"Winning is hard work, you have to put all of your efforts into it from training, dissecting the opposition to performing. We have done for the last for weeks so lets continue it in the next.
"A couple of wins at this level really catapults you up the league, but the aim now is to continue it. That is where we have got to try and be at the end of this month and the following one. Nothing stops if you win one game, you want to win the next, it's a good habit to have."
Penn's side are the third-highest scorers in the division with 48 goals. At the same stage last season - after 25 matches - the Yeltz were one point better off with 43, but despite that, Penn believes there has been clear progress.
"I do think we have come a long way in terms of the club and personnel we have got in," he added. "We are in very similar position.
"But, can we try and beat tat points tally, try and finish higher? It will take a lot of hard work, but that's the aim.
"There has been a togetherness from the club. Crowds have ben really helpful. We have averaged 1,300 this year which is just amazing for the level.
"We have scored some late goals as well which is massive for the momentum we are trying to build.
"Form and momentum are massive, you need that luck of keeping everyone fit and suspension free. Can we dip into the market when we need to strengthen? I think we have all got to come together as a board, chairman and manager now and take each week as it comes."
Elsewhere, rivals Stourbridge welcome Redditch United as they look to extend their unbeaten run to seven league games. The Glassboys have enjoyed a strong upturn in form and results under new boss Scott Adey-Linforth and could climb out of the relegation zone with victory.
In the Northern Premier League, second-placed Hednesford Town host Leek Town as they aim to reclaim top spot. The Pitmen sit a point behind leaders Hebburn Town.
Rushall Olympic entertain Hyde United in a crucial six-pointer, with Rushall 17th in the standings - a place and a point above their visitors.
Meanwhile, in the National League North, fourth-placed Kidderminster Harriers visit fellow play-off contenders Scarborough Athletic looking to extend their unbeaten run to eight games. Harriers won six matches in a row before salvaging a stoppage-time draw with Worksop Town last weekend.
