Lowestoft joint boss Micky Chapman has challenged his side to show consistency over the packed Christmas schedule. The Blues thrashed Leyton 8-0 last weekend to move within one point of leaders Great Wakering Rovers, with six games still in hand.

Lowestoft joint boss Micky Chapman has challenged his side to show consistency over the packed Christmas schedule.

The Blues thrashed Leyton 8-0 last weekend to move within one point of leaders Great Wakering Rovers, with six games still in hand.

The games come thick and fast for Lowestoft over the next few weeks, starting at Northwood today, but Chapman is confident his side can cope. He said: "We have a busy period coming up with some difficult games ahead but we'll take it one game at a time as always and our only focus will be the next game.

"That next game is at Northwood and it will be a really tough encounter on our longest trip of the league season to Middlesex. They are in the first round of the FA Trophy and it will be difficult, but we are in a really good position and while there is still a long way to go, we are striving for consistency.

"There are a lot of teams beating each other in this league and it will be the most consistent side that will be successful at the end of the season.

"The focus will be on ourselves and the jobs we have to do, as we look to show the quality that has served us so well and continue this run.

"Of the next seven games in the league and cup, six of them are away so it will be tough - but we are looking forward to it."

Chapman was delighted with the demolition job on Leyton, as the Blues scored four times in each half, with three for Matt Nolan, two for Gary McGee, a goal for Ross King with his first touch, a first for the club for Gary Holt and another for Andrew Fisk.

"It was an absolutely top drawer performance and we were fantastic on the day. We've been saying for a while that someone will get a good hiding and it arrived on Saturday," said Chapman.

"We scored eight and could've quite easily had 12 or more as we created a lot of chances. But the ironic thing was that they weren't a bad side - they were decent. People will be thinking that they must have been rubbish, but they were a good passing side that were perhaps a bit na�ve in certain areas.

"The boys took advantage of this and the quality we have at the club took advantage as we destroyed them in key areas."

Chapman and fellow joint boss Ady Gallagher must decide today whether to recall Carl Poppy and Reece Hunn, who have both been back in action with the reserves and in training as they build up their fitness levels.

Richard Woodrow and Jack Marsden are still having treatment and will not return before the new year.