EXPERIENCED midfielder Junior English has set his sights on claiming the scalps of Vanarama National League North’s big-hitters and helping Worcester City make “the next step”.

Apart from their 2-0 win at mid-table Brackley, City’s victories have come against sides in the lower half of the league.

They defeated 17th-placed Altreton Town 5-3 and comfortably saw off bottom three teams Bradford Park Avenue 3-0, Stalybridge Celtic 4-0 and Altrincham 3-0.

English says City have done well when expected to win during their rise to 13th in the table.

However, the 31-year-old believes they need to start winning matches when the odds have been stacked against them to close the gap on the top sides.

“We have got big teams in this league, so we have got to beat those around us or below us,” said English, whose side take on an AFC Telford United team just two positions below them at the Victoria Ground on Saturday (3pm).

“We have got to beat those sides and up until now we have done that.

“When we have been expected to win, we have won, which is pleasing, so if we could start picking up points against the bigger teams we could push up the table even higher.”

Worcester have claimed four points against sides in the top half thanks to the impressive win at Brackley and a 2-2 draw against Harrogate Town on the opening day of the season.

But Stockport County (1-0), Tamworth (1-0), Gloucester City (3-2), Chorley (1-0), Halifax Town (3-0) and Darlington 1883 (5-1) have all beaten City.

Despite their disappointing return, English insisted “there was not much” between City and the “bigger teams”.

“Apart from Halifax and Darlington, we have not been battered by anyone. It’s been by one goal,” he said.

“But the difference is the bigger teams do the basics right week in week out.

“So that’s got to be the next step now — just trying to match the bigger teams and pick up points against them which will push us up towards where we want to be.”

Worcester slumped to the foot of the sixth tier at the end of August after seven matches without a win.

But, having moved nine places in two months, English, who joined City in the summer after ending a 12-year spell at Solihull Moors, is confident they will steer well clear of trouble.

“I have been playing for over 10 years now and I don’t think this team, especially the young players, realise how good they are,” English added.

“For me personally, if we don’t finish in the top half I would be disappointed because I think we are capable and that’s got to be the aim for us.

“Just getting into that top half and staying there would be good considering where we were at the start of the season.

“But we are gelling as a team now and I think the performances are starting to come.”