BOSS Ollie Cherrett knows Christchurch are "there to be shot at" as they enter one of the most important periods in the club's recent history.

The Wessex One table-toppers face five games in 14 days – including key clashes against fellow promotion hopefuls Laverstock & Ford, AFC Stoneham and US Portsmouth.

Priory are tomorrow due to visit Lavvy (7.45pm) before hosting Stoneham on Saturday and the Navymen – the only team to have beaten them in the league this season – on April 2.

Currently six points clear at the summit, Cherrett's charges probably need to win six of their final nine games to clinch the title and four to guarantee promotion.

Cherrett and assistant Chris Hart have been trying to pilot the club back to Wessex Premier since being appointed in September 2015, having seen them finish sixth and fourth in the past two seasons.

"We have a massive week ahead with two very hard games," said Cherrett.

"I am confident in my squad of players. We are all desperate to win promotion and are looking to win the league.

"We have some tough games ahead and, when you are top, you are there to be shot at.

"The lads are confident and I believe we have the right balance to get where we want to be.

"It will be a massive six weeks and you have to enjoy it. We just can’t wait to play the next game."

Priory made heavy weather of seeing off revitalised Verwood Town on Saturday with James King's goal on the stroke of half-time settling the issue in their favour.

Christchurch's run-in also includes a double-header against struggling East Cowes Vics, a trip to third-placed Andover New Street and meetings with mid-table trio Hythe & Dibden, Fawley and Downton.

Cherrett added: "The Verwood win was a great result. We were dominant in the first half and should have been at least three up.

"We missed a penalty and hit the crossbar but James King with a fortuitous goal quite rightly gave us the lead.

"Anyone who thought Verwood would just roll over were mistaken and I knew that wouldn't be the case.

"They had a game plan and our chances were limited in the second half. They didn’t really give us too much to worry about but, at 1-0, anything can happen.

"All we wanted were three points and to get another clean sheet was very pleasing. The result leaves us very much in control of our destiny."