JOHN FOWLER is adamant his Whyteleafe team can handle the pressure of being the Southern Counties East League title-favourites after their 7-0 thrashing of Holmesdale on Tuesday night.
Jason Thompson and Taylor Smith bagged a brace each with Ryan Fowler, Bentley Graham and an own goal completing the demolition.
News of Leafe's huge win spread fast and Tunbridge Wells boss Martin Larkin, having just seen his side triumph 4-0 over Erith Town, tipped Leafe for the top.
"Whyteleafe had a massive win," Larkin said. "They won 7-0 and they are a big threat. All the talk is about who is going to challenge them. Ashford have a decent budget."
But Leafe boss Fowler is taking the pressure in his stride, and believes his players will do likewise.
"No pressure!" he said on hearing Larkin's comments. "At the start of the season the talk was going about that it was going to be between ourselves, Tunbridge Wells, Erith Town and Ashford.
"There is still a lot of football to be played this season, but I suppose it's us and Tunbridge Wells who have been getting the results against those around us in the table.
"Confidence is high in the team so it's not something we will be worried about though."
Whyteleafe were also victorious on Saturday, with new striker Reece Jackson netting against his old club Epsom & Ewell to help Leafe to a 3-2 win in the FA Vase, setting up a first-round proper tie at home to Windsor.
This week, Leafe are in action against Chatham Town in the FA Cup.
