A Frew good men have tried to knock Martin Ferry’s side off their perch at the top of the Central District First Division table this season – and failed.

Renfrew still lead the way but face a tough hurdle on Saturday when they travel to second-placed Wishaw in a fixture that will offer a real pointer in the race for the title.

Ferry – and co-boss Colin Clark – have put together a side who are capable of going the distance, and perhaps even going back to the days when they were a permanent fixture in the Super League.

But the former tough-tackling Irvine Meadow full-back insists there is still a long way to go.

Ferry said: “There are still a few teams in with a shout, but maybe we have a slight advantage because we have the points in the bag. The midweek games start next week and there will be a few teams playing catch-up.

“But first up for us is Wishaw and it’s shaping up to be a cracker. It will be a tough match but we will go there with confidence.

“I would much rather be where we are at the moment. We are in pole position – although there are still eight games to go.

“Being in charge of your own destiny is a good feeling, but we also have to be wary of teams like Maryhill, who are just creeping up there and will be a real threat.”

But three wins on the bounce, against good teams, and with three clean sheets has been pleasing for a side who moved into a new ground at the start of this season.

They have bedded in nicely and enticed top-league players such as Chris Zok and Alain Kinney back to the royal burgh.

Ferry said: “We’ve always tried to take care of the defence first and foremost and build out from there – although it hasn’t always worked out the way we might have liked.

“Certainly the season we went down from the Super League we had a decent back four, but we didn’t have anyone who could score regularly so we were always going to struggle, especially in the tight games.

“But we’ve been fortunate this season to have players like Chris and Alain – both of whom have been immense.

“In fact, on Saturday against Neilston, we asked Chris to play left midfield and he didn’t have a problem with it, which reminded me of the time we asked him to do the same thing in a game down at Greenock a few years ago and he threw the biggest strop!

“Saturday’s 3-0 win at Brig o’Lea was probably the best we’d played all season and Chris was instrumental in that. He was excellent – although I’m sure he will be back up front this weekend.”

Ferry and Clark have been at the helm at Frew for seven years now, but Ferry insists he has no itch he needs to scratch.

“I’m still thoroughly enjoying it," he said. "Colin and I work well together. I’m the quiet man and calm him down when he’s getting a wee bit hot under the collar.

“It’s always nicer when you’re winning games and I would say looking at the league table there are four obvious teams fighting for the two promotion places. Ourselves, Maryhill, Wishaw and Rossvale look to be in with a shout of going up.

“The new park has benefited us in a number of ways, including helping to attract some good players, like Zok, Kinney and Darren Jones, who is a great prospect, and someone who is willing to learn.

“We were also delighted to get big Anton Heffron back. He has been to places like Bo’ness United, so he returns with a wealth of experience, and has been fantastic at the back for us.

“The defence has been on top form this season and that shows in our goals against column. We don’t have much of a budget but our players would run though a brick wall for us.

“When we were at the old Western Park, players would come up, take one look, and run a mile, but times have changed.

“Colin and I have been at the helm a few years now and we’re not about to let that go now the club has emerged from some dark times. It takes time to build something good and I would like to think we are getting there, and building something lasting.

“Colin and I have been offered a wage by the club but we don’t take a penny out. Anything we have been offered we have asked the committee to put back into the team.

“We are fortunate to be working alongside such a fantastic committee, who work tremendously hard for the club. Everyone is pulling in the same direction, which is vital.

“We have now got a really nice ground we can call home and we are top of the league – but it’s up to us to make sure we stay there. We want to complete the job.”