Oxford City general manager Justin Merritt says they are not getting carried away by their terrific start to the Vanarama Conference North season as they look to make it four victories on the spin away to Guiseley tomorrow.

City moved up to third in the table after Monday night’s superb 5-0 win at Bradford Park Avenue, and they could go top if they win in Yorkshire and other results go their way.

But Merritt says neither he or his team are letting the results go to their head.

“I’ve been in football a long time and you go on these good little runs,” said Merritt. “Sometimes it happens for you and other times it doesn’t, like it did at the start of the season.

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“We’re not suddenly the complete article because four games ago we lost 8-1 to Fylde.

“There are a lot of things we need to work on. There have been times in games where we could have gone a goal down because we have been a bit sloppy.

“It was a great win at Bradford. We were a bit patchy in the first half, but in the second half we showed a real bit of quality and pace to our game. There was lots of positivity.

“There is still a long, long way to go. Maybe in another ten games we will have time for reflection.”

Merritt feels Guiseley will provide a tough examination of their recent run.

He added: “We’ve had them watched and they are a good side.

“They were play-off semi-finalists and they look to play the ball, so we will have to be at our best.

“But we’ll be going there to have a right go at them.”

Meanwhile, Merritt has praised the contribution of Jamie Cook and Liam Malone after they left the club.

Cook has joined North Leigh, while Malone is set to sign for Chesham where he will join former City teammates Andy Ballard and Mark Bell.

Merritt said: “They have all been really good assets to the club and we wish them all really well. But I can understand players’ frustrations when they can’t get in the team.

“When we go on these long away trips we can get their minds focused on the game, but it’s important we have a good start when they step off the coach.

“I’m excited watching us play which is great for a manager to say and I’m hoping the players are enjoying it.

“I don’t want to be dictatorial, I want to inspire the players and support them when they need it.”

City will be at full strength with the exception of Xapi Casana, who has joined Wantage Town on loan.

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