HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS defender Ryan Doyle believes there is a chance that his side could go through the entire Ryman League Division One North season unbeaten.
Swifts have made a fine start to the campaign, and the mood in the camp is sky high.
They beat local rivals Maldon & Tiptree 2-0 in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round on Saturday – Doyle scoring the second from the spot – and the summer signing from Brentwood is revelling in his time with the Swifts.
"I'm really, really enjoying it," he said. "The club is very professional and the fans are brilliant.
"We had a good 50 fans over at Maldon singing all through the game and after the game we were back at our club with them having a drink and the chairman got some champagne out.
"It's nice to be at a well-run club.
"We are feeling good, there's a few shouts of the Invincibles going about.
"Hopefully it can keep going, we've had a couple of draws where we should have won, it's nice to be unbeaten and hopefully we can keep it going."
Doyle stepped up to net from the spot at Park Drive, firing past his former Brentwood team-mate Richard Wray.
And he admitted there was plenty of chat as he stepped up to take the spot-kick.
"I had no nerves at all," he added. "Robbie King has been taking the penalties and he asked if I wanted it, so I said you clearly don't want it.
"I stepped up, and I wasn't worried because I took all the penalties last year at Brentwood.
"I was pretty confident. I played with their goalkeeper at Brentwood so I went a different way and it went in and it was a good feeling.
"There was plenty of banter. As I was stepping up the other lads who played for Maldon were saying some things so I did have to mix it up and he went that way so luckily I did change my mind."
The reward for Heybridge was a trip to face Harlow, and Doyle hopes his side can be professional against their league rivals, who have installed a 3G pitch over the summer.
He added: "Everyone was really up for Saturday before the game.
"It was quite important for the club I think, they tried not to spell it out in words but I think the prize money is important for all non-league teams.
"We were looking for a home tie against a Conference South team in the next round, but I guess we'll have to wait another round for that if we can get past Harlow.
"I think as the season goes on their pitch will be a big advantage for them because they will be the most used to it.
"I've heard mixed reviews about it, but we've got to go there and do the job."
