WESTBURY United joint-manager Neil Kirkpatrick believes his side face the stiffest test to their credentials as a Toolstation League Premier League side on Saturday when they host early leaders Willand Rovers.

United were crowned First Division champions last term and have made a flying start to life at a higher level since promotion, with last weekend’s 4-1 win at Odd Down their sixth victory from as many league games.

Willand currently set the pace at the head of the table, with the Devon side having dropped only two points in eight games this term, and Kirkpatrick expects a thorough examination of his side at Meadow Lane.

Whatever the outcome, Kirkpatrick is keen to put the match in perspective as it represents the huge progress Westbury have made since he and son Joe took helm at the club midway through the 2016-17 campaign.

“Willand will be a very tough game and it will undoubtedly be the biggest test we have had so far this season,” said Kirkpatrick.

“They are a top club and have been there or thereabouts in the Premier Division for the last 10 years. They are always challenging.

“They will be a big strong, powerful, experienced side, so we are going to have to be right on it.

“It is a great for us and we have to have a bit of realism. People are talking us up now and you just have to look where we were 18 months ago and how far the club has come.

“I think when we took over, the club was 18th in the First Division table and going nowhere.

“Now, people are expecting us to maybe get a result against Willand, which is tremendous accolade to where the club has got to.

“It won’t just happen, though, we are going to have to put a great shift in.

“These are the games you want, this has been our target all along – can we upset one or two of the big boys?”

The match is Westbury’s first back at Meadow Lane in more than a month, with last weekend’s win at Odd Down their fifth away fixture in a row, and Kirkpatrick is looking forward to enjoying home comforts once again.

“We have forgotten what Meadow Lane is like, to be honest. It is weird how the fixtures have been,” said Kirkpatrick.

“We will train up there before the game and be ready for Willand on Saturday. One thing is for sure, we will have a real good go at them.”