CHALVEY Sports manager Steve Quelch is confident the Stabmonks are beginning to turn a corner after a difficult couple of months, writes Rob Stevens.

Quelch replaced ex-boss Merv Lloyd in October and suffered defeat in his first four matches in charge.

However, the Stabmonks have since won five of their last seven matches in all competitions giving Quelch belief that his side can challenge for a top-five finish in Hellenic Division One East this season.

He told the Observer: "We've had difficulties with people working and so on, but we are slowly getting there and people are starting to understand what we're trying to do.

"Coming into the league and taking the step up, first and foremost our aim was to consolidate ourselves and hit mid-table or the top five if we could.

"We had a bit of a sticky two or three months but hopefully we can push on and keep the momentum going.

"If we can keep the form going we could easily be in and around the top five which is what our target was at the beginning of the season."

Chalvey travel to Wallingford Town this Saturday (3pm), before a visit to Arbour Park from rivals Burnham on Boxing Day (26th October, 12.30pm).

Quelch said: "We've got a busy Christmas period coming up now, which we're very much looking forward to, and hopefully we can get some points out of those games as well.

"Wallingford will be a tough time at their place. They beat us 4-0 at Arbour Park earlier on in the season, so that will be a tough task but we have a different make-up now.

"The Burnham game will be our fourth against the local rivals this season so that will be an interesting one. Their a good side but we've just got to go out believing we can do things.

"If we can put in a performance like we did against Ascot in midweek then I won't have too much to worry about."