ACOMB captain Joe Dale is not getting carried away by his side's winning start to the season.

The Foxes go into this weekend's local derby against Clifton Alliance on the back of victories against Easingwold and Hull in Yorkshire Premier League North.

Dale, however, insists that 'survival' is still the club's number one target.

"It's been a good start to the season and we are trying to back ourselves more and play with a bit of freedom," he said. "But we are not a massive club and we have to compete against more established clubs such as York and Harrogate.

"It's only our second season in this division so I think we will be happy just to stay in the league. If we can finish eighth or higher, the season will have been a success when you consider the magnitude of the players we have lost."

Top order batsman Andrew Tute is ruled out this season after knee surgery and all-rounder Andrew Brewster moved to Cardiff MCC University.

Bowler William Thurgate arrived from Kent club Sandwich Town.

"With the exception of Yorkshire Academy, we probably have the youngest side in the division," Dale explained. "The average age of the squad is 23-24 and we are relying on youth.

"But there is a great team spirit here and we also have a few players who have been around the local leagues such as myself, my brother (Matthew), Scott Nicholls, Tom Neal and Mark Bell."

Opponents Clifton Alliance were promoted last season after winning the Premier division and picked up their first victory in the top flight last weekend against Hull.

"We have not played them for a while but we have to go into the game with confidence after the start we have made," said Dale. "There is always a bit of local rivalry and they are a good side who have recruited very well during the close season."

Dale, 25, played football for Pickering Town this season in the Northern Counties East League but stopped playing on the eve of the new cricket season.

He is not in their squad for the forthcoming North Riding County FA Senior Cup final against Whitby Town at Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium but will be attending the game and hopes to be play again next season.

Leaders York, meanwhile, will be seeking to maintain their 100 per cent start to the YPLN season when they host Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Easingwold and Woodhouse Grange, who are both 'pointless' after two games, meet at Back Lane. Sheriff Hutton Bridge visit Scarborough.