LITTLE Oakley manager Matt Carmichael says his side can take great pride from their current winning streak - a run that is on a par with that of runaway leaders Hashtag United.

The on-song Acorns have won 12 of their last 15 matches in Thurlow Nunn League first division south, with their most recent victory being Saturday's 3-1 success at home to to Holland FC.

Their remarkable run includes maximum points on each of their last six outings.

Coincidentally, champions-elect Hashtag have also won 12 out of 15, most recently showing their title credentials with an important victory against nearest challengers Halstead Town on Saturday.

Carmichael says it is great to be keeping such good company at the top of the form charts.

“It was nice to keep our run going and the aim from here on in is to secure a top-ten finish," he said.

“That would be a great end to the season.

“In terms of form, we’ve won 12 of our last 15 games which is exactly the same as the leaders, Hashtag.

“It’s great that we’re up there with the top teams in the league and shows how much progress we’ve made.

“Our league is only going to get stronger and that’s why it’s so important to finish well.

“We want to push towards the top next year but there’s no point saying things like that if we don’t finish this season strongly.”

Oakley enjoyed a meeting with their old Essex and Suffolk Border League foes Holland on Saturday.

It finished 3-1 to the Acorns thanks to goals from Greg Rodger, Luke Mayhew and Lewis Wood.

"It was a good battle," said Carmichael.

"In the first half we were very good but in the second we could have made the game a lot more comfortable.

"Only some great defending and terrible finishing by us kept the score down.

"Credit to Holland, who never gave up.

"It was an enjoyable game and it doesn't matter what level you play at or where you are, football played the right way between clubs that respect each other is what it's all about."

Oakley have no game again this weekend so their next fixture is the trip to Hackney Wick on Saturday week.

After that they host Frenford on April 20 - their last home match of the season - before finishing with trips to Harwich and Parkeston and Newbury Forest.