Kings Langley co-manager Ritchie Hanlon says his players have settled seamlessly into life in the Premier Division after his side moved up to eighth in the table on Saturday.

Kings secured promotion from Division One last season and, at the start of the campaign, consolidation in their new surroundings was the aim.

However, the side have taken 14 points from their first seven league matches and Hanlon says that is down to the work ethic and determination of his young squad.

"It has been a very good start for us, the players have really upped their game so far," he explained.

"They have adapted to the higher level and, bar one disappointing result against Sun Postal, have been excellent.

"If you take the three goals we conceded against Sun out of the equation then we would have the best defensive record in the league. That is very important for us.

"What we needed was more goals and we have brought in Daryl Atkins, who has scored three times in two matches. So we are enjoying it at the moment."

Kings defeated St Margaretsbury 3-1 on Saturday in league action and followed that up by overcoming Edgware Town by the same score in the Challenge Trophy first round on Tuesday night.

A brace from debutant Atkins and a close range finish from Mitchell Weiss secured the three points at the weekend while another goal for Atkins, and further strikes from Benny Fiadzomor and Alex Campana, booked Langley’s place in the second round on Tuesday.

"We’re playing well at the minute," Hanlon continued. "There’s no doubt we had a little blip after the FA Cup defeat to Northwood because that was a tie that the lads felt that should have won.

"But we’ve got past that and are doing well. Given the start we’ve made, I don’t think we’ll be struggling come the end of the campaign. I’d be really, really disappointed if we ended up in a dogfight at the bottom.

"I believe that we can now aim for a place in the top eight. That would be a good season for us, then next year who knows? Both Paul (Hughes, Kings’ joint manager) and I are working out the league and next year we could be challenging for a place at the top of the table."

Kings Langley return to Premier Division action this Saturday as they welcome AFC Dunstable to their Gaywood Park ground.