HIGHWORTH Town manager Jeff Roberts has revealed his side’s four wins on the spin this month has acted as a catalyst to a positive dressing room atmosphere, ahead of this weekend’s Southern League Division One South clash at home to Winchester City.

After being thumped 7-1 by Evesham United on New Year’s Day, Roberts’ side have responded with wins against Fleet Town, Slimbridge, Street and Thatcham Town to lift them to within three points of fifth-placed Cirencester Town.

Winchester arrive in Wiltshire on a similar positive run, having secured points in all of their last six league matches – including back-to-back four-goal wins over Mangotsfield Town and Blackfield & Langley.

With unbeaten records on the line, Roberts insists picking up points at home against a team also hopeful of the play-offs will only boost his side’s confidence further moving forward.

He said: “Winchester will provide us with a tough game.

“If we can take something from this game, then it will certainly put us in the right frame of mind.

“Our reaction to the Evesham game has been great. But right now, and I’ve said it before, we’re going through spells where we will pick up points in five games and then struggle.

“Hopefully, we can push on now and see where it will leave us.”

What makes Highworth’s run more remarkable is the club’s lack of available first-team players in recent weeks due to injury.

Many of the club’s reserve squad have been called upon – and Roberts praised the work-rate and determination of his back-up players.

He said: “ We’re taking each game as it comes. We’ve had a small squad recently, but some of our players from the reserves have done a good job and we have players coming back from injury now to make us stronger.

“You can see the chemistry building between the players. There is a clear bond and lots of laughter.

“We’ve proven that we can compete at this level – four wins, especially in January, has been particularly pleased.

“Our form this year has kept us in touch with that play-off frame.”