JODY Bevan revealed he has been pleasantly surprised by his squad’s performance levels in Hellenic League Premier Division this term.

The Fairford boss has masterminded Town’s rise to second in non-league’s fifth tier with only six points dropped from their first 12 games.

Bevan even admits players might have surprised themselves, but that should act as no deterrent going forward amid the Town boss’ wish to retain the club’s status in the division’s top two.

He said: “I would’ve snapped your hand off if you told me at the start of the season that this would be the position we’d find ourselves in.

“I always thought we were going to improve and do well this season, but I never anticipated a start like this.

“It’s surprised me, and I think it’s surprised a lot of the players too. Having seen a lot of the league now, we understand we are there on merit – this is no fluke.

“A lot of the lads that have been with me throughout my time as manager have stepped up and improved too.”

Town’s 10-game win tally could be added to this weekend when Burnham – a team Fairford beat 3-0 away from home on the opening day of the season – visit Cinder Lane.

And while on paper the game appears to offer Bevan’s squad an excellent chance of adding an additional three points to their already impressive tally, the Town boss underlined tomorrow’s visitors’ false league position.

He said: “While our last win sounds convincing, it was anything but.

“The game was evenly matched and whoever scored the first goal was probably going to go on and win.

“Fortunately we won, and scored two late on to put the cherry on top. Our confidence has grown since, while Burnham have been inconsistent.

“On paper, you’d expect nothing other than a win. But I’m expecting something quite different.”