As befits a manager of a team known as the Hares, the message from Glenn Bellis at the half way point of the season is 'catch us if you can'!

Harefield United have stormed eight points clear at the top of the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division with 50 points from 22 games and are red hot favourites to go on to clinch the title.

The Hares have threatened to win promotion several times in recent years under Stuart Leavy only to stumble along the way, but Bellis believes this time they can last the course.

"We've got a difficult run of games starting at Aylesbury (last night, Tuesday) and if we can get through the next four games with nine or 10 points that will set us up nicely," said Bellis, 50, who stepped up from managing the U18s last summer. "They're all winnable in February and so by the end of next month we'll have a good picture as to where we'll be.

"It's in our hands now and if we maintain what we're doing it will be hard for other teams to catch us.

"Everyone below us has got to play each other so they will drop points and I don't see us going on a poor run, losing four games in a row - we would have to take a massive drop in form for that to happen."

Bellis has been at Preston Park for six years now and enjoyed a solid if unspectacular start as first team manager, taking eight points from the first 15, before things really took off.

The Hares were unbeaten in the league for three months until ending the year with a 3-2 defeat at Oxhey Jets, but whereas in previous years one defeat has often been followed by another or even several more, this year has so far been different.

They bounced straight back with a 5-0 demolition of Cockfosters and only the weather has prevented them making further progress.

"I just think we've got strength in depth this year," added Bellis, who is assisted by coaches Jesse Smith and Wayne Little, and physio Steve Hoare. "At the moment when we've had injuries and suspensions players are coming in and we're not being weakened by it.

"We went on this massive run of undefeated games and that breeds confidence in everyone."

During that fine run of 15 unbeaten games which included 12 wins, Hare-field also defeated a strong Hayes & Yeading United side 1-0 after extra time in the Middlesex Senior Cup, shocking a few not just with the result but by their performance too.

The league will remain the priority however, so while Bellis has one eye on his own side he has the other on the three rivals he expects to push him hardest - Kingsbury London Tigers, who they have yet to face, as well Biggleswade Town and Langford who they have to play away.

"On the road it's just a matter of trying to pick up points," said Bellis. "If we can go to those teams and pick up a point or even win it makes it very difficult for them to catch us."

* Preston Park hosts a game between Watford U16s and an Italian Select U16 side at 6.30pm tonight (Wednesday) and on Wednesday, February 4, Watford U16s take on Arsenal U16s at the same time.

Tickets cost £3 (adults) or £1 (U16s) for each game.