Despite making a late dash into last season’s Southern League Division One Central play-offs before succumbing to Barton Rovers on penalties, Steve Castle believes an over-confident outlook for his side’s chances this season would be “foolhardy”.

The Crows’ unbelievable run of 11 wins from their final 13 games enabled them to climb into second place behind runaway champions Kettering Town, and with a vast majority of the squad having remained at Garden Walk over the summer, Town fans could be forgiven for feeling optimistic.

A 5-1 Herts Charity Cup first round rout of Ryman League Division One North side Cheshunt last weekend re-affirmed Royston’s glistening potential but the boss is taking nothing for granted. Their opening day trip to Uxbridge legitimises that fact.

Castle told the Crow: “Pre-season has gone very well for us.

“The new lads have settled in on and off the pitch. We have ironed out the creases and we look very slick going forward.

“Things are looking good at the moment but it would be far too early to say we’re going to achieve this or that.

“We know we have enough ability in the squad to do well but we need to just work on being stingy with the amount of chances we give our opponents and also taking our own.

“It would be foolhardy to get ahead of ourselves with a strong set of teams to tackle this season.

“Just take Uxbridge for example. Despite finishing mid table last season, they beat us at home which was a shock but it shows anything can happen in this league.”

Royston’s pre-season has been slightly hampered by an ankle injury to new striker Chris Dillon. Having had surgery, Castle is hopeful he will make his competitive debut before the end of this month.

The Crows’ boss will require players such as Ryan Ingrey, fresh from signing a one-year extension at Garden Walk over the summer, to step up in Dillon’s short absence.

He continued: “Ryan has gone from strength to strength in the past year and we’re glad we’ve kept hold of him.

“If he can lead the line by example and help the guys around him find some goals, it’s a big plus for us.”