“I just send them out and let them play, they are that good.”

Those are the words of Rob Walsh, the manager of Longlevens Youth Under-17s who are sweeping all before them this season.

They are top of the Cheltenham Youth League Under-17 Division after winning all eight of their games, scoring 60 goals along the way.

They are pretty good defensively too because their goal difference is 50, with Walsh adding: “We’re flying at the moment.”

Their most recent success was at home to Westfields Youth, who they beat 8-1 with leading scorer Oscar Perrins getting five, and that came a week after they had gone to previous leaders Leigh & Bransford Badgers and won 4-2.

And although there is still a long way to go, hopes are high that they could win back-to-back titles after being crowned the Severn Valley Youth League Under-16A Division champions last season.

They finished 15 points clear of their nearest rivals, winning 17 of their 18 games, so they are certainly on a roll, but while they are now enjoying some very good times, it hasn’t always been the case.

Walsh took over as manager five-and-a-half years ago when they were under-12s and he said: “In the first season we avoided relegation by just one place, we really struggled at the start but have slowly made progress.

“We were midtable in the under-13s, finished third a season later, then second before winning the title last season.

“That was amazing, quite an achievement, but to be top in the Cheltenham League at the first attempt is pretty special.”

Centre-forward Perrins has scored 20 goals this season, while Theo Bevan, who plays 10 and is described by Walsh as their star player, has got 16.

Eleven of the squad, who are captained by Walsh’s son Harley, a centre-back, are also playing for the club’s under-18s and Walsh continued: “They are a great bunch of lads, they play amazing football, they are easy to coach.

“We play 4-2-3-1 and we play the Longlevens way, we play on the ground. We’ve got a helluva side.”