STANLEY keeper Jon Kennedy knows he and his team-mates will have to be on their guard against complacency as they tackle two games they are expected to win.

The Reds charged up to second place in the Conference table following their 5-0 hammering of Dagenham on Saturday.

They now face two teams who won a late reprieve from relegation last season - Leigh RMI at home on Saturday and on Tuesday it is a trip to Northwich, who went into administration this week.

And the Reds will come up against their former striker Gary Williams on Saturday who has signed for Phil Starbuck's Leigh side.

"The fans will expect us to win both games comfortably," said the shot-stopper who has helped the defence keep four clean sheets in the last four games - that's six hours without conceding a goal.

"But the Conference is one of those leagues where a team from the bottom can beat a team from the top on any given day.

"Coley (John Coleman) won't let us underestimate Leigh or Northwich and we have got to make sure we have our minds right and play to the best of our ability."

At least Coleman will know all about Williams who they sold to Doncaster for £60,000 four years ago before he returned to the club for an unsuccessful stint.

The 25-year-old has been playing in America, had a short spell at Stalybridge before Starbuck signed him and the boss was impressed with the hitman when he made his debut in the 3-3 draw against Aldershot last Saturday.

"The front lads have been doing really well and Gary will add to that. He's got lightning pace, good feet and a good football brain as well," said Starbuck.

Coleman said: "He might feel he has a point to prove but it will be nice to see Gary. He is a good lad."

But Kennedy, who made his full Stanley debut against Leigh last year, has every confidence his side can battle against the division's strugglers - especially with the new look midfield.

"Ged (Brannan) and Jaggers (Steve Jagielka) are two fit lads and they can keep control of the games.

"You look at the teams who win things like Manchester United and Arsenal and they have strong, fit midfielders and, apart from Stevenage, our midfield have dominated the games we have played so far this season. I think that has made a big difference."

The former Sunderland goalie has been a virtual spectator in the last few games but admits he doesn't mind.

"It is better than being busy! The hardest thing is keeping my concentration and trying not to make many mistakes.

"But last season I think we conceded a lot of goals in the last 10 minutes and I think that was down to the players fitness. Now we are full-time and fitter, we can carry on playing and pushing right to the end and not give the other side a chance."

And he admits he has been surprised by Stanley's flying start with five wins out of the opening seven games - and thinks they can stay the pace.

"I knew we had a tough start to the season and thought we might climb the table slowly. But to be near the top after seven games is great for us and now we have go to stay there."

But Leigh boss Starbuck has other ideas and he is out to upset the Reds on Saturday.

"We owe them one after they came out on top on the last two occasions and I'm looking forward to it. But it will be a very tough game and a bit of a battle.

"They have gone full-time so the fitness factor might come into it. But I'm confident we can go there and try and make sure it doesn't go all their way. Hopefully we can keep them quiet for as long as possible to quieten the crowd and we always look like scoring."

A good crowd is expected at the Interlink with Stanley urging the fans to get behind them. "A good crowd always spurs the players on and it they can play an important part in keeping our run going," said Coleman, who is also not underestimating Stanley's next two opponents.

"There are no gimmes in this league. We had two good games against Leigh last year and, although we won both, I don't think we played to our best.

"I think we can play better than that - I think we can play better than we did last Saturday against Dagenham.

"But it is not a game we can take lightly as they almost beat Aldershot last week.

"Football has a habit of kicking you in the teeth so I just want us to go out and give a good performance and get a result."

Meanwhile, Stanley's disciplinary record is continuing to please the manager and players as they haven't had a booking in five games.

"If someone had told me we would have gone five games without a booking or four without conceding a goal, I would have thought they had taken something," said the boss.

Coleman does have something of a headache as central defender Robbie Williams, who missed the Daggers game with a groin injury, is expected to have recovered.

But the manager was singing loan signing Anthony Gerrard's and Jonathan Smith's praises after the Daggers game.

Gerrard, on loan from Everton, was making his Stanley debut and Smith was recalled from his loan spell at Barrow.

Both came in and kept a clean sheet and now the manager has a decision to make.

"It is a nice problem to have and I will pick who I think is best for the game - it's better than having no defenders.

"Jon (Smith) did well on Saturday - he pulled off a wonderful, brave tackle in the first half which kept it at 0-0. Things like that can change games and if they had scored from that, I don't think we would have got five.

"Jon was alert and the responsibility he has had at Barrow has done him the world of good. And Anthony looked like he has played there all his life.

"We have got a squad and we will use it and if anyone is not good enough they shouldn't be in the squad.

"If people can't come in and do jobs then they shouldn't be here. It was never panic stations, they are all professional footballers."

  • STANLEY reserves celebrated a 3-2 victory over Bamber Bridge on Saturday.

They are set to travel to Chorley on Saturday and are at home (Great Harwood FC) to Lancaster City on Tuesday but please check with the club first.