MANAGER Andy Robbins admits he has been surprised by Littleton’s rise to the top of the Athium Midland Football Combination Premier Division.

But he believes his players are more than capable of keeping them there in what has been a superb season so far for the newly-promoted side.

Littleton have taken the league by storm since winning Division One and claimed 27 points from their first 12 matches.

They drew 1-1 at home to Atherstone Town last Saturday, courtesy of a goal from former Evesham United player Simon Fitter.

Strikers Jamie Clarke and Ollie Manouchehri were on duty with the Great Britain deaf team, while Alex Baird (knee) and Joe Walsh (holiday) also missed out.

Robbins reckons at fullstrength his side, without a game this weekend, are a match for anyone.

He confessed: “If I am really honest, our start has surprised me but the inclusion of Simon has been a massive bonus for us and, with Jamie, Joe Lolley and Ollie up front, we will always score goals.

“It was an outstanding team performance but we would have been even stronger with those players. It couldn’t be better at the moment. We just want to keep on playing.”

They fought out a hard-earned draw with Atherstone, coming from behind to salvage a point with the replacements giving their all in a fast-paced game.

Both teams worked hard in a first period of few chances although Littleton’s Simon Fitter almost caught the back-pedalling keeper out with a 50-yard free-kick.

Lolley saw a shot saved at the foot of the post but the visitors went ahead within two minutes of the second-half thanks to Chris Sockett’s well-executed volley.

Another good save was forced by Lolley before Fitter levelled with a free-kick from just outside the box.

Littleton head to Pilkington XXX next Wednesday in the Les James Challenge Cup second round (7.45pm) and host Coventry Copsewood in the league the following Saturday (3pm).