DEFEAT last Saturday dented the feel-good factor around the Cobbydalers’ camp – but their disappointment at a loss to the second-placed club shows just how much Silsden’s expectations have changed.

Manager Danny Forrest said recently that the influx of four new players had re-invigorated the entire squad, and that he was satisfied with both the performances and the results.

A narrow defeat to title-chasing City of Liverpool FC has done nothing to dampen the boss' enthusiasm.

He said: “I’ve made no secret of saying that I’m aiming to get the club into a top-ten finish and I still think that’s realistic.

“We’ve picked up a bit and we’re comfortable in the table, so it would be easy to take our foot off the gas but we don’t want that.

"We should push on as much as we can, although I think we’ve too much to do get into the play-offs.”

Forrest is looking at the longer term and he wants the club to consolidate this term, keep his squad intact and become a force in the seasons to come.

“We want to build for next season and create a professional environment at the club,” he added.

“I’m looking for that, as are the rest of the coaching staff, and the club’s committee are doing what they can to make it happen. They work really hard – the people behind the scenes here are so dedicated, they live and breathe the club.

“It’s good at the moment, on and off the pitch, and it’s a nice place to be around. If we get another couple of wins and get on a little run who knows where it will take us.

“But for me it’s more about keeping this group of players together, getting a full pre-season in and taking the club forward.

"If we get it right this club has the potential to move higher up the pyramid.”