TAVISTOCK first-team boss Stuart Henderson has warned his table-topping team that they are there to be shot at - with Western League rivals Exmouth the next team loading the bullets tomorrow night at Langsford Park (7.45pm).

The Lambs are three points clear at the summit of the Premier division, although their nearest challengers, Bitton, have a game in hand over the leaders.

Third-placed Buckland Athletic are a further three points behind the Lambs in the chase for what is likely to be the sole promotion slot to the Southern League, but have two games in hand.

Henderson was clearly pleased that his side, which was not counted as among the possible title challengers when the season began, were top of the pile.

But he said: ‘We’ve been top of the league for a few weeks, but there is a long way to go yet. It’s great to be in a good position, but we are there for everybody to shoot at.

‘I’ve told the players that if we can be in or around that area by Christmas, then we can go on from there.’

Exmouth are currently in ninth place in the table, but Henderson said it would not surprise him to see the east Devon side finish the season in a higher position.

The visitors, last time out, defeated seventh-placed Saltash United at Kimberley Stadium, although they are 12 points adrift of the Lambs.

Henderson said: ‘All our games are going to be difficult, and I think Exmouth will end up in the top four of five. But we will look forward to the challenge and give it our best shot.’

The Lambs’ boss added that the club had staged the game on a Friday night, rather than a Saturday, in an attempt to get more fans to Langsford Park to support their local team. He said: ‘We’re top of the league, so you’d hope that the local community will come out and support us.’