Maldon and Tiptree are thriving on the pressure at the top (From Maldon and Burnham Standard)

Maldon and Tiptree are thriving on the pressure at the top

4:41pm Thursday 1st November 2012 in Sport

MALDON & TIPTREE boss Terry Spillane says his side are thriving on the pressure of being top dogs in Ryman One North.

The Park Drive team moved back to the top of the table thanks to Saturday’s 3-1 victory at Needham Market.

Previous leaders Grays Athletic were in FA Trophy action while an added bonus was that third and fourth-placed Potters Bar and Aveley dropped points against Ware and Waltham Forest respectively.

Maldon are the only unbeaten team in their division and one of just two to stay unbeaten in the Ryman League.

The others are premier division side Hampton & Richmond. “The boys are thriving on the pressure of being unbeaten and top of the table,” said Spillane.

“One or two teams may have thought there was a chance we’d slip up against Needham.

“I told the players that before the game and, thankfully, they responded with one of our best performances of the season.

“Needham are a very good side and I’m sure they’ll finish in the top six.

“But we’re full of confidence and I was so pleased with the players’ attitude on Saturday.

“We’re playing well at the moment but I’m realistic.

“I know we’ll hit the wall at some point and then it will be question of how we react.

“But for now we want to keep the pressure on the teams below us, by continuing to win and making it hard for them to catch us.”