Oxhey Jets boss Wayne Gladdy is delighted with the start his side have made to the season and says his players now believe they are capable of competing in the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division.

Jets claimed six points this week after overcoming Sun Sports 5-3 on Saturday and following that up with a 3-0 win over Holmer Green on Tuesday.

The two victories have lifted Jets up to seventh in the table. At the start of the campaign, Gladdy’s aim was to improve on last season’s 18th-place finish. He is confident that will be achieved.

“We have made a massive improvement from this point last year,” the Jets boss explained.

“We had a young inexperienced side at the beginning of last season and it took them a while for them to believe in themselves at this level.

“But I think the results we’ve had towards the end of last season, and at the start of this one, means they now know they can compete.”

Gladdy paid tribute to his assistant Steve Rolfe, who he says has played a vital role in their good form.

He explained: “Steve joined towards the end of last season and has been a massive help for me. If the players haven’t been showing the right attitude then he has helped deal with that. He has just allowed me to manage the team and he’s taking care of a lot of the other things.”

A hat-trick from Tim O’Mara and a brace from Eoin Casey helped Jets overcome Sun while O’Mara, Sim Armstrong and Luke Beardsworth netted in the success against Green.

He said: “Those two victories are pleasing because we scored plenty of goals and that was without our top scorer Lee Armitt. Once he returns, that will be scary for other sides.

“We’re playing well and I think we could finish in the top half of the table. I would love us to achieve that, anything higher would be a big bonus for us.

“Hopefully we can have a good run in the cups as well. We won the St Mary’s Cup last season and I’d love us to retain that because it is nice for the lads to have a bit of silverware at the end of the campaign.”

Jets are in FA Vase second extra preliminary round action this weekend as they make the long trip to Long Buckby.

Gladdy knows the importance of a good cup run for the club and hopes Oxhey can make it through the next few rounds.

He said: “The prize money is vital for the club, it is a massive help financially. We’ll go there with a fully-fit squad which will mean I have to upset a few players and leave them out.”