SSML Premier Division Langford 0 Colney Heath 7 IAN Cooper scored four times and set up another two goals as Colney Heath moved into first place in the league table following a comprehensive 7-0 defeat of Langford, but boss Scott Lacey insists there is st

SSML Premier Division

Langford 0 Colney Heath 7

IAN Cooper scored four times and set up another two goals as Colney Heath moved into first place in the league table following a comprehensive 7-0 defeat of Langford, but boss Scott Lacey insists there is still room for improvement.

The Magpies boss admitted to The Herts Advertiser that he felt that that kind of performance was on the cards and says its down to being able to name a settled starting XI.

"We're not playing too badly at the moment. I always thought somebody would get that (thrashing)," said Lacey.

"What's helped is consistency, we haven't had too many players coming in and out.

We've still got two big players from last season, Nicky Winger and Neil Jordan, to come back in so there is room for improvement, we don't want to rest on our laurels."

"I'm not getting too excited it's only five games in but if we're still top after 10 or 15 games then I might start to think we could do something."

Cooper is in sensational form for the Magpies and now has six goals and three assists to his name from the last two games and Lacey was full of praise for his striker.

"Saturday was Mr Cooper's day. He set-up two and scored four. He's become a key figurehead and he's also trying to encourage the youngsters to do the right things too."

Aaron Clarke also came into the side and impressed in an unfamiliar left-sided position giving Lacey and joint boss Wes Awad a welcome selection problem.

"Aaron Clarke came in on the left in the only change and was excellent," said Lacey. "He's got bags of energy and bags of pace and his work rate is such that he is like a wing-back because he gets back and defends and also attacks."

Cooper took less than 60 seconds to open the scoring on Saturday and had wrapped up his hat-trick within 30 minutes as Heath romped into a 3-0 half time lead.

Second half strikes from Phil Jackman and Dean Parratt were added to by Cooper's fourth in the 85th minute and a last minute penalty which was converted by Clarke.

With no game this weekend, attention now turns to the club's FA Vase clash with Sporting Bengal Untied a week on Saturday and Lacey is eyeing a decent cup run.

"It's a chance for the club to have a good run and I'd be extremely disappointed if we didn't have a good run," said the Magpies boss.

"We've got to stick to what we're good at. We keep setting the players challenges and they keep sticking two fingers up at us and doing better; there's an inner drive and it's good to see that. We haven't let a goal in from open play which is a huge credit to the back five.

"All credit must go to the players. The club's good at the moment and there's a real buzz around the place.