AYO Odukoya is loving being part of Witham Town's developing squad and says their sights should now be firmly fixed on the catching sides above them in the Bostik League division north table rather than nervously watching those below them.

The 20-year-old striker was part of Witham's team that got themselves back on track with a 2-1 win against Great Wakering Rovers last weekend as they moved up to 15th in ending a run of three back-to-back losses in recent weeks.

He will be targeting his first goal in Witham colours when they head to third-placed Heybridge Swifts for local derby action on Friday night.

Odukoya feels the team have put their sticky patch behind them as they look to make up ground on sides further up the standings rather than being concerned with relegation fears, but admitted they needed to find a level of consistency that had eluded them in the early part of February.

The 6ft 5in forward said: “I think we’re going upwards – we’re definitely not looking backwards.

“We are getting stronger in every game, but we just need to be more consistent.

“The run that we went on through December and January was excellent and that was through the hard work that we put in.

“But once we got so many wins, I think our heads got comfortable and we need to get back into the groove of winning games.

“That’s why the win against Great Wakering was so important and I think it can push us on again now.

“We’re not setting targets because we only look at it game by game, but there is definitely a feeling – and the Gaffer tells us – that we should be higher than where we are.

“The more points we collect, the more confidence grows and we’ll push up the table instead of thinking about dropping.

“That’s not our mantra at all; it’s all about moving up."

Odukoya's early spell with Witham was testing after joining in November from fellow division north side Bowers & Pitsea as a groin injury kept him sidelined, but he is enjoying making up for lost time now and is excited to be developing under the guidance of manager Mark Ashford.

“I love it here," added Odukoya.

“Mark (Ashford) has taken me in with open arms.

“He came to me at the start of the season and I wasn’t sure at the time but it’s been great since I’ve come in.

“I had an injury when I first came in and that was tough because the team was winning then and I wasn’t a part of it.

“But once I got back in and was feeling OK, I just wanted to work hard for the team.

“Wins are important and everyone at Witham is behind you; the fans are excellent.

“I love being part of a team like this.

“Mark is all about developing players and he’s helping us get better in every training session and every game.

“I take in all the information he gives me and try to take it into every game.

“I’m really enjoying it and I really appreciate everything that he is doing for me."