THEY’RE in a position they haven’t been previously, but 1874 Northwich don’t give the impression they feel out of place.

Ian Street’s side travel to Atherton Collieries on Saturday as a genuine contender to be promoted to the Northern Premier League, and with a chance to dent their hosts’ hopes of doing the same.

That they have such an opportunity is a result of collecting maximum points from eight of their past 10 league matches.

“The ‘old’ 74 would have dropped daft points,” he said.

“These lads think differently now, and we’re more demanding of them too.

“It’s no good being what we call ‘training ground players’, because that’s easy.

"They’ve done the business so far when it matters.”

He told the Guardian they will not be daunted by the prospect of facing opponents that have lost only once in front of their own supporters this season – and that was back in August.

1874 have yet to play Colls, who edged leaders Bootle on Monday night, in a league fixture this season.

However they did crash out of the FA Vase against Michael Clegg’s men following a 3-0 reverse at St Luke's Barton Stadium back in November.

“We’re not scared of them,” added Street.

“We know what we have to do, and we have to believe we’re better than them.

“I think we are, but I’m sure their manager will be saying the same to his players too.

“We’re where we’d want to be at this stage; it would have been a travesty to not get a result against Squires Gate last Saturday and then beat Colls this weekend.

“We’ve given ourselves a chance. Can we do it? I say why not?”