BUDE Town boss Steve Hackett is targeting a top five finish over the coming months in South West Peninsula League Premier West.

Having finished 14th and then eighth in the boss’s first two campaigns in the hotseat, the Seasiders currently sit ninth in the standings with games in-hand on all those above them following Saturday’s postponement at Helston Athletic.

Hackett, who have 17 points from 10 games, feels they are on the right track.

He said: “Pre-season was a bit stop-start for various reasons and we lost our first two games - in the league and then the Vase - but since then we’ve really built some momentum.

“The difference this year is we’ve got a stronger squad of players whether that’s in the starting 11 or on the bench. We’ve not always had that for the last couple of seasons.

“The other big change I’ve noticed is that we’re learning to grind out results even if we’ve not played very well, whereas even last year we’d lose. We’re now bearing the fruit of our players becoming more experienced.”

Progression is the aim for most clubs, and Hackett is no different.

“My view of a good season is always to improve on last year, so the target this year is to get into that top five.

“To do that we need to pick up results in our games in-hand on those above us as we’ve only played 10, whereas everybody else has played at least one or two more. We also want to keep making Broadclose Park a fortress and make sure we go into every game in a positive mindset and looking to get a result.

“But we know we can’t go into any game and underestimate anybody, and that starts on Wednesday night (tonight, 7.30pm) at home to Dobwalls. Yes we’re at home and playing a side towards the bottom, but they’re improving, so we need to be careful. We can’t go looking too far ahead to Saturday at Penzance where we’ll get a really good idea of where they’re at, or else we’ll come unstuck.”

Key to their recent success have been the acquistions of attackers Ray Spear and Tega Olaosebikan, both who have netted crucial goals in recent weeks.

He said: “We highlighted the number nine as a position we needed to fill and Ray has been brilliant since he’s come in.

“He’s grabbed four goals in six games and his hold-up play and work in the channels has been superb, and most importantly he just wants to score goals.

“Tega is incredibly quick and gives us a different type of threat with his pace in behind. Harrison (Swatton) and Piran (Friend) are great with their feet and at taking players on, but with Tega you can use his pace in behind and nobody enjoys playing against it. We’ve got really good attacking options at the moment which every manager wants.”

However, Hackett will have to do without Ruan Tape who has joined neighbours Kilkhampton Reserves who play in Division Three East of the St Piran League structure.

“Unfortunately we’ve lost Ruan this week which is a shame as he’s done a really good job for us at right-back, but he wanted to play further forward, so we wish him well. However, things are going well on and off the pitch, so long may it continue. We had a really successful quiz recently, the pitch is as good as it’s ever been and we’ve got new goals.”