ST Ives Town manager Jez Hall says this Saturday’s big match at King’s Lynn Town will be a real test for his promotion chasing side.

Hall, who was named - alongside co-boss Warren Everdell - as the United Counties Premier manager of the month after the two of them guided the club to its ninth win on the trot last Saturday, isn’t too worried about making it 10 out of 10... or the infamous manager of the month jinx.

“It’s going to be a massive match - they get 800, 900 fans there and it will be a brilliant atmosphere,” he said. “It’s the best place to go in this division.

“But we’ll have our own fans there too - and they always get behind us.”

St Ives are in fifth in the Premier Division while King’s Lynn sit in third on 28 points, one point ahead of the Saints but with two games in hand. Earlier this season the Saints lost 1-0 to the Linnets at Westwood Road. Both clubs are trailing in the wake of leaders Peterborough Northern Star, who have 40 points and all the momentum.

No pressure then? “No pressure,” said Hall. “Nobody is expecting us to go there and win so we have nothing to worry about. And the manager of the month award means we aren’t expected to win this one either - let alone take our run of wins to 10.

“We have a few injuries at the moment but are hoping that some of those players will be available - they are just knocks that they picked up in recent games.”

However, Hall isn’t expecting influential defender Will Fordham to return just yet - he limped from the pitch during their 6-0 home win over Deeping Rangers last month.

“It’s going to be pretty tight but if we can get through the first 20 minutes unscathed and then hit them ourselves, there’s no reason why we can’t beat them. After all, we know we can score goals.”

Indeed, the Saints scored 30 goals in the month of October - and conceded only four.

“We’re not far off - this game will let us see how far off we are,” he added.