RADCLIFFE Borough forward Ben Wharton hopes his scoring start to the season is a sign of things to come.

The 22-year-old has netted four goals in as many Evo-Stik Division One North games to date and a total of five in nine matches.

It is a run that has seen him fly out of the blocks despite the team’s stuttering start, although he and his team-mates suffered the frustration of the postponent of Tuesday night’s Stainton Park clash against Clitheroe.

And the former Rochdale man has even surprised himself with the nature of his goals this campaign.

“I have even got two tap-ins,” Wharton, pictured, said.

“That is unlike me but I will take them all day. I have been in the right place at the right time a few times this season.

“That’s what they say about good goalscorers so hopefully that will continue to happen for me. Sometimes I have runs like that when I score a few in a row.”

Wharton’s goals have been crucial with Griff Jones sidelined with injury since the opening two matches.

He has linked up with summer arrival Chris McDonagh, who has netted twice himself, and has enjoyed building the striking partnership.

He admits, however, it has been something of a one-way street so far.

The Stockport-born frontman added: “Macca (McDonagh) has set me up a fair few times so I suppose I should repay the favour.

“He is settling in well and is good to play up front with.

“When Griff is back regularly as well, it will make us even better.”

Wharton may be pleased with his own return but is conscious the team as a whole need to start getting wins on the board.

Like boss Benny Phillips, he is confident they have the squad and players to do it – they just need to put a run of results together.

Defeat at Leek in the FA Trophy first qualifying round on Saturday meant an end to any Wembley dreams with an early FA Cup exit also coming before the end of September and league form intermixed has also been indifferent.

Wharton added: “We are not getting results at the minute but we are playing okay and everyone is keeping their heads up.

“We have good players and had a few out injured like Griff and Jonah (captain Mark Jones). We miss Jonah quite a bit in midfield.

“We know we need to get going in the league and just need to string some results together.

“We had around 12 new signings come in this summer and it does take a bit of time to gel but we are definitely a lot stronger than last year.”