Boss Wayne Ambler hopes a fine start to the season can provide the platform for Brampton to climb back into the top half of the Kershaw Premier Division.

The local side enjoyed year-on-year improvement in the Cambs League top flight until sliding to finish in 11th spot last term.

And the early signs that they can begin moving in the right direction again are encouraging with Brampton boasting the only remaining unbeaten record in the division.

They followed up wins against locals rivals Hemingfords United and Eaton Socon in eaely-season derby clashes with two draws in recent days.

They were held 3-3 by Gamlingay, who hit a last-gasp equaliser courtesy of their goalkeeper, last Tuesday and then shared the spoils in a 1-1 deadlock against Cambridge University Press at the weekend when George Cresswell grabbed a leveller.

“Considering we normally start very poorly, we’re pleased to have got going so well this season,” said Ambler. “We had a good pre-season and it seems to have done us good.

“We were a bit rusty in the first game against Hemingfords and had to come from behind to win it, but then looked fairly comfortable against Eaton Socon in what we were expecting to be a really tough derby.

“We should have had the Gamlingay game put to bed by half-time, but we ended up letting them back into it and conceding so late was a sickener.

“I’m told Cambridge University Press are the best side we’ve faced so far.

They bossed the first half, but we grew into the game and controlled the second half.

“It sounds like we were unlucky not to win it in the end, but it still ranks as a pleasing start.

“Finishing down in 11th last season was a big disappointment and I want us to get back up the table.

“I’d love to finish in the top five, but that won’t be easy in such a tough league with sides rumoured to be paying money.”

Brampton look set to receive their toughest test yet this Saturday when going to Great Shelford - a side who have won the title three times and finished as runners-up twice in the last five seasons.

“Great Shelford are pretty much guaranteed to be right up there in the table - and I’m sure that won’t change this season,” added Ambler.