RICKY Sappleton says he is thoroughly enjoying his new lease of life as a centre-back, and is eyeing up another clean sheet in the FA Cup tomorrow.

The Billericay Town man had initially been filling in alongside Alex Stephenson at the back but his displays in recent weeks mean the striker is now a key cog in the defensive unit.

And following back-to-back clean sheets in the league, the 26-year-old wants another against Chippenham Town in the third qualifying round at ‘Fortress New Lodge’.

“I am enjoying it,” said the former Leicester City man. “It is different to being up front and I am missing scoring a bit but I am pleased for the guys that are getting the goals.

“But as long as we keep on scoring and winning it is cool. We have two clean sheets and three so far and I want to build on that and get another one on Saturday.”

Sappleton admits he does not know a great deal about Southern Premier League side Chippenham, although said he was only looking at Billericay and controlling what was in his power.

But he feels the winning run Town are on can only benefit the group, with the newly-assembled squad getting better by the game.

“”Winning seven in a row is a great feeling and hopefully we can keep it going and keep getting the results we want,” he said.

“I don’t know about Chippenham but it is about us anyway. We have a great squad.

“If we play to our strengths and do what we are doing we will get through.

“We are scoring a few goals at the moment and have 18 in the last seven games so we are doing OK.

“We need to worry about us and leave the opponents to worry about how they are going to deal with that.

“The banter is flying in the changing room and everyone works hard for each other.

“We just want to win and want to make this place a fortress. Opposing teams have to be excellent when they come and play here and hope we have an off day as well.

“We just want that to continue and are all determined to make that happen.”