GARY Martindale believes the only people unsurprised by Witton Albion’s impressive start to a new season are the players themselves.

A 1-0 victory at Barwell on Saturday is their third in five games, and has earned the Northwich side a share of the lead in the Premier Division table ahead of tomorrow’s meeting with Altrincham.

“These lads are annoyed they haven’t won the other two,” quipped Witton’s assistant manager.

“That shows how far we’ve come, I guess.

“Of course, and being serious, we’d have snapped off your hand had you offered us a chance to be unbeaten going into the game against Altrincham – no two ways about it.

“We were disappointed to concede a late equaliser [at Workington] in midweek; it was a bit of a blow after getting our noses in front.

“But when you digest things the next day, and look at it a bit more rationally, it’s a great point to pick up in the bigger picture.”

Albion followed their longest trip of the campaign, up to Cumbria, with another to Leicester on Saturday.

They did not risk convalescing full-back Matty Devine, who has been struggling with a hamstring injury, while front man Rob Hopley was rested.

Martindale told the Guardian that he hopes both would be ready to play a part against the Robins.

He added: “There’s a contradiction at play this week.

“As a management team, we warn the lads to focus only on the next game and not to be distracted by what’s around the corner.

“However it’s important that [manager] Carl [Macauley] and I have an eye on what’s coming up and to manage the squad as best we can to make sure lads are fresh.

“It’s a challenge to do that with two games so close together, particularly after successive away games.”

However a run of positive results mean they approach probably their biggest home game of the campaign in optimistic mood.

A record of three shut-outs to date is a warning they are hard to beat.

Martindale said: “We’ve had to adapt because almost all of the teams we come against in this division are so well-organised and prepared for a physical battle.

“Our lads have had to get used to that, and quickly, because only by getting on top in that way can we then play the ‘tippy tappy’ stuff that we’re really good at.”