Swaffham Town chairman Mick Simmons believes the club is in very safe hands following the appointment of Matthew Parkinson and Scott Lumsden as joint managers.

The Pedlars, who welcome Hadleigh to Shoemakers Lane this afternoon (kick-off 3pm), were rocked by the news in August that Paul Hunt had decided to step down as boss after five years at the helm.

Parkinson and Lumsden took the reins on a temporary basis but after leading Swaffham to a solid start to the season the pair have been installed as permanent bosses.

'It was a difficult time when Paul left and we were a bit concerned about what was round the corner,' admitted Simmons. 'But Matt and Scott have done a very good job, especially in helping the younger players make the step up quickly.

'We've always looked to promote from within wherever possible. We've got a very good youth system at the club and Matt's and Scott's work within that will obviously help to integrate those younger players into the first team.'

Whilst youth will be given its head at the club, Simmons insisted senior players like Dean Miller, Mikey Thompson and Jack Defty also have a crucial role to play.

'Those three players are really the spine of the side,' he added. 'You have to have those kinds of players to bring the youngsters on.'

Defty surprisingly came out of retirement in the summer to lead the Pedlars' frontline and Simmons believes the former King's Lynn and Lowestoft striker adds a touch of class to the side.

'Jack is doing a super job – you can see he isn't quite fully fit but he didn't play for a year-and-a-half after he broke his leg and only decided to come back into football after a game of five-a-side with his mates.

'But he has been great for the team and I think he has only missed one game through injury since the start of the season.'

Defty has helped fire newly-promoted Swaffham to seventh in the table although Simmons isn't getting carried away. Establishing the club in the Premier Division is Parkinson's and Lumsden's number one priority.

'Our aim is to stay in the division,' said Simmons. 'If we can stay up then it would be a step in the right direction.

'At the moment our league position is probably slightly false because we have played more games than a lot of other teams.

'But we've managed to get points on the board and we're more than happy with the start we've made.'

Basement boys Fakenham will be looking for their first win of the season at home to Walsham whilst leaders Norwich United entertain FC Clacton. Gorleston travel to Godmanchester and Kirkley & Pakefield host Haverhill. Thetford – who have named Danny White as their new manager – entertain Whitton.

In the First Division, King's Lynn Reserves travel to Braintree Reserves and Dereham Reserves are at home to Wivenhoe.