TOM O'Donnell had promised that the philosophy at Egerton won't change even after a stunning start to their debut campaign in the Cheshire League's top-flight.

Yellows extraordinary comeback at Malpas on Wednesday, when they recovered to win after trailing 3-0, was their fifth victory in six matches and leaves them tied for the Premier Division lead.

However the chairman insists nobody at the Knutsford club is getting carried away.

"For now we just want to keep going the vibrancy and excitement that currently exists around the place," he told the Guardian.

"Our aim is to finish as high as we can; to preserve our status at this level will represent progress."

The opening weeks of the season are more impressive considering the changes off the field since the end of last season.

Manager Dean Gorre accepted an offer in July to coach the national team in Suriname, where he was born, and so is spending time away from Mereheath Lane.

That followed the death in a car crash of JLloyd Samuel, the former Aston Villa and Bolton defender who was looking after player development, during the closing stages of last season.

Meanwhile Jim Cherneski, appointed at the same time as that duo last summer, has taken on more responsibility with support from Nathan Ellington - who like Samuel is an ex-pro that played in the Premier League for West Bromwich Albion.

"Our major challenge has been bringing the group together after the loss of Jay," said O'Donnell.

"He would be proud of the boys, and it's been great to see how passionate Nathan is about nurturing and supporting our first-team players."

Egerton started with a 2-1 win away to Daten, promoted as champions from League One last season, before losing to tenants Altrincham reserves.

However they recovered quickly to take maximum points from meetings with Congleton Vale, Whaley Bridge (both 2-1) and then last Saturday when Warrington outfit Greenalls were their guests.

Yellows demonstrated a ruthless streak as they ran out 9-1 victors.

Their progress will be tested during a trip to Poynton on Saturday before Middlewich Town travel to Knutsford on Tuesday, kick-off 6.30pm.

O'Donnell said: "The team have been focused on their performances and have worked hard to build on the progress they made last season.

"We took an opportunity during pre-season to bring in some of the boys that have done well for our side in the North West Youth Alliance and they've enjoyed gaining experience of the first-team's set-up.

"That is our philosophy and we've put together a support network of people who buy into it; they're keen to see young players improve as they follow a pathway through the club."