Harleston Town's experienced forward Nathan Stone enjoying role in title challenge

He may be 37 but Nathan Stone is still playing a leading role in Harleston Town’s challenge for the Thurlow Nunn League First Division North title.

The experienced striker scored both of his side’s goals in their 2-1 win at Leiston Reserves on Tuesday evening – a result that opened up a six-point lead at the summit for Nicky Howell’s men.

And while it takes a little longer for the body to recover than it once did, Stone is enjoying himself.

“I feel surprisingly fresh. Like a lot of players I probably thought my early 30s would be the end but I’m still going,” he said.

“It helps massively having a good team around me. If it wasn’t for this group of players I wouldn’t still be playing at this level because they make me look better.

“The last few weeks had been hard because the chances hadn’t been falling to me. We’ve got a good squad and Nicky dropped me to the bench for a couple of games – I think the rest did me some good.

“A few of the lads keep saying I could play for another four or five years. I can assure you that isn’t the case but I’m enjoying it at the moment.”

Tomorrow Stone and his team-mates will play host to a second-placed Downham Town side that will no doubt be desperate to close the six-point gap (3pm).

Third-placed Sheringham, meanwhile, are nine points adrift of Harleston but do have three potentially crucial games in hand.

With just one team going up automatically and the next four entering into a play-off, it promises to be a nervy run-in.

However, Stone has insisted all Harleston can do is focus on themselves.

“It’s obviously a big cliché but all you can do at this stage is take it one game at a time,” he added.

“The next game is Downham and that’s one we need to be winning.

“It’s unlikely we’ll win every game that’s left and that’s the same for Downham and Sheringham.

“It’s about picking up as many points as we can and capitalising on any time they slip up.”

While Stone is unsure if he would commit to a campaign in the Premier Division should Harleston go on to secure promotion, one player he is tipping to move through the levels is Josh Durham.

The youngster, who scored twice in Saturday’s 6-0 win at Wisbech St Mary, has caught the eye in Harleston’s midfield this term.

Stone said: “I’ve played at a higher level with many different midfielders and I’ve never see any as good as Josh at his age.

“I really believe that he can go as high as he wants to go.

“He makes it look ridiculously easy. When I come off the pitch I’ve got a red face, my hair is all over the place and he just looks like he’s had a walk on the sea front.

“Like a lot of young lads he’s got decent drive, quality and technique, but his work-rate is also non-stop.

“He likes to get stuck in, he seems to enjoy the nitty gritty and that is great to see.”

After hosting Downham, Harleston will also be at home on Wednesday evening against Debenham LC (7.45pm).