Player-manager Mark Secker led from the front as Outwell Swifts maintained their title challenge on Saturday.

Secker struck both goals in the first half as Outwell won 2-0 at Wimblington to close to a point of Kershaw Senior B leaders Barrington.

Secker said: “I’ve been manager for the past three years and gradually we’ve been getting better.

“We’ve brought in some decent players like Chris Gunkel and Stan Brown who have played at a higher level and they have made a difference to our defence. We’ve not conceded many goals.

“Sam Hanslip has come in and boosted our strikeforce. We’ve been performing every week and some weeks we’ve managed to grind out results.”

Secker says assistant manager Ashley Doncaster is a big help for him as he balances playing and management responsibilities.

He said: “I get a lot of assistance from Ashley. With my job I’m often on call so when that’s the case I tend to stay on the touchline. When I play Ashley stays on the sidelines barking out instructions.”

The title race looks like it’s going to be a four team battle, with Fen rivals Doddington and Orwell also in the mix.

Outwell’s two games against Barrington will be pivotal in deciding the outcome of the league, Secker says.

He said: “Orwell have three games in hand and Doddington have a lot of games in hand so we know they can catch us. But Doddington will have some midweek fixtures, which are difficult.

“We still have to play Barrington twice. We need to win those games and if we do I’m sure Barrington will drop points elsewhere.

“We’re in a good position but we need to take one game at a time.”

Outwell travel to mid-table Sawston on Saturday. Doddington, whose clash at basement side Swavesey Institute fell foul of the weather, don’t have a game.