Business as usual.....whilst Clifton are enjoying their best start to a league campaign in a number of years and have been boosted by recent derby wins over Dings & Old Reds, Matt Salter's squad remains grounded and focused on this weekends challenge with the arrival of Bournemouth in Round 7.

Bournemouth currently sit 15th in the table after a tough start to their National 2S season having gaining promotion last year to the 4th tier. However, their win last weekend against fellow Nat 2 debutantes Westcliff, will have given them much to be positive about as they visit Station Road.

Clifton currently sit 3rd in the table, having taken 5 wins from their opening 6 games, with the loss to Leicester Lions in late September being the only blot in their copy book. The side has been going well but Matt Salter has been quick to ensure his squad keep their feet on the ground and continue to search for improvements in their performances.

"We've had some good hit outs recently, they have been tough physical contests in which we have learnt a lot about ourselves and how we manage our game. We are trying to gain some consistency in our performances, our defence was outstanding last week but it has fluctuated in the two previous games; we need to keep that level of accuracy and attention to detail every week, both sides of the ball."

"Bournemouth come here on the back of a good win against Westcliff which will have given them a huge boost; they have had some disruption over the last 2/3 weeks with injuries and absences and we know they have threats that we need to deal with. We can't afford to take our eye off the ball because on the day, anyone is capable of beating anyone in this league as time has shown. That said, we are in a good place, there is a real buzz about the boys at the moment and the are bouncing into work every week focused on the weekends goals. It is a good place to be and the boys are intent on keeping and driving our standards week in week out."
Matt Salter, Head Coach

Clifton see the return to fitness of influential duo Brad Barnes and Naill Gibbons this week having missed the game against Old Reds whilst Kieran Griffiths also returns form injury ahead of schedule. Cam McDonald is also back with the squad as well as the return of Matthew Hall.

"We are pretty much back up to full strength after taking some dents over the last 3 weeks Jack Spencer and Alex Giltrow are more long term concerns but overall, the squad are all fit and raring to go. Having the depth and quality to give some boys time off is key as this is a long attritional season and they come back fresh and engaged. It just keeps everyone in good shape each week"
Mike Barber, Assistant Coach

Clifton also welcome back Gloucester Academy's Tom Stanton this weekend who follows fellow Gloucester dual reg players Archie Benson, Reece Dunn and George Barton on season loan. Stanton has previously played for Clifton last season, alongside Dunn and will again look to make an impact in the Lavender & Black this weekend.