STEVE Lloyd believes Barnton have turned a corner, and his players feel more confident than at any point previously this season.

The Villagers have won five of their past nine matches in the North West Counties League’s top-flight, drawing two others, a sequence that has moved them a dozen points clear of the relegation zone.

And they will be determined to demonstrate their recent progress when they head tonight to Hanley Town – opponents to which they lost 6-0 back in September.

Lloyd said: “We have more belief in ourselves now.

“The dressing room is in buoyant mood, and we want to keep it that way.”

Barnton brushed aside Premier Division back-markers Cammell Laird on Boxing Day, when they recorded their biggest victory of the campaign.

Half-a-dozen different scorers were on target at Townfield Lane too.

Lloyd added: “We looked lively every time we went forward – it was good to see us being clinical too, and punishing an opponent when they made a mistake

“The lads worked hard and with passion to deliver a clean-sheet, and that’s what pleased me most.”

He has Shaun Alcock available again for selection at Hanley, and the defender replaces Ryan Malone as the only change to the squad from Boxing Day.

That means another opportunity for youngster Dominic Bazley, who scored his first goal for the first team in that 6-0 victory against Cammell Laird.

Kick off tonight is 7.45pm.