IT’S a long way down from the Championship to the Combined Counties League, but Alex Witham is showing no signs of being a big time Charlie.

Class without conceit is how proud Wembley boss Ian Bates values his surprise late-season signing from Derby County, who never made a first team appearance for The Rams, but was a regular for their reserves.

The 19-year-old was released by Derby in September before dropping no less than seven divisions to turn out for Bates’ Wembley side.

But Bates warned Lions’ fans to enjoy Witham, who had trials at Burton Albion last season, while they can as the youngster is eyeing a return to the Football League.

“The lad lives in Pinner and is keen to maintain his match fitness in preparation for pre-season trials at Exeter City,” said Bates.

“When I heard he was available I jumped at the chance, and he has proven a really valuable addition to the team.

“You can see his class in his touch and his vision, but without the ‘big I am’ baggage that sometimes comes when a player steps down several rungs.”

Withams has played an important part in Wembley’s three game winning run that has all but ended relegation fears at Vale Farm.

After Witham scored the winner at Hartley Wintney last Tuesday, he again starred as goals from Issah Abubakr and Nicky Orr sealed a comfortable 2-0 win over Croydon on Saturday.

Wembley followed this with a battling 2-1 victory over third placed Cove on Tuesday night. A 20th minute goal from Abubakr was soon cancelled out, but Wembley regained the lead 10 minutes before half-time when Witham floated in a fine free kick from outside the area and Bates rose to flick home a winning header.

Bates is hoping his men can maintain the momentum against second placed Epsom and Ewell on Saturday before a return clash with Cove on Tuesday.

“These are going to be two very tough games, and we don’t want to slip backwards now,” said Bates.

“Without these last three wins we could easily have been dragged into the relegation scrap, because all the teams down the bottom have suddenly started winning. I won’t be really happy until we have at least two or three more wins under our belts.

“This has been a tough season for us after losing 20-goal Darryl Atkins to Chalfont St Peter. We have outplayed so many teams and ended up losing because we could not finish, and were then punished for a couple of mistakes.”