After suffering a mass exodus of players during the summer, many predicted PHC Zebras would struggle this term.

But that certainly has not been the case for Mark Wade’s team, who are off to a flying start with two opening wins in the league.

Zebras sit atop the Premier Division on goal difference over nearest rivals North Village Rams, banging in eight goals and conceding only one in wins over Southampton Rangers and Dandy Town.

Yet, while encouraged by his team’s solid start to the campaign, Wade is wary about getting carried away and says there is still much work to be done before Zebras can again be considered as serious contenders for all of the silverware at stake.

“I think that there is still room for growth,” Wade said. “We lost 11 players and so we are in a rebuilding phase.

“We also have a number of senior players missing for various reasons, so we can get better. We just have to continue working hard in training sessions and try and improve on our performances.”

Asked does he think that the exodus of players is a blessing in disguise, Wade replied: “I wouldn’t say that. It’s just an opportunity for other players. We have some young players out there, so this is an opportunity for them to prove themselves.”

Wade admits that his team’s good start to the season has caught him somewhat surprised after losing the likes of Dennis Russell, Jensen Rogers, Malachi Jones, Casey Castle and Cofield Robinson.

“I am surprised a little,” the former Zebras defender said. “But at the end of the day the players realised that we lost many players and that our backs are against the wall. We either have to step up or lie down, and I think the players have shown they are willing to put the work in and work for one another.”

Zebras are fresh off an emphatic and inspiring victory over Premier Division champions Dandy Town in their last outing, leaving Town with two straight losses in the league after two wins in the Dudley Eve Trophy.

“I thought that the boys worked hard,” Wade said. “I didn’t think we possessed the ball like we would have liked to. But I thought we rewarded ourselves and were clinical with some of the chances we did get.

“We built an early lead and kind of hung on at the end. We will take this win, try and build on it and improve.”

Asked does he think his team’s humbling of Town was a statement of intent, Wade said: “I don’t really think it’s a statement. I really just think that it is a testament to the work that the boys have done during the summer.

“It’s still early days yet. And, as far as I am concerned, we are still underdogs in the league.”

Zebras are away to Village, who are also unbeaten in all competitions thus far, in a top-of-the-table clash at Bernard Park on Sunday.

In other matches, winless Hamilton Parish and Flanagan’s Onions meet at Wellington Oval, Dandy Town host Somerset Trojans at St John’s Field and St George’s travel to Southampton Oval to play Southampton Rangers. Robin Hood, fresh off a 3-0 win over Rangers last weekend, meet Devonshire Cougars at Goose Gosling Field tomorrow at 9pm.