Mike Phenix is stepping up for AFC Telford

The former Skelmersdale United wide man has been impressing in a new role up front for the Bucks recently.

And he's as undaunted about his first trip to Dartford tomorrow as he has been about playing in the Conference Premier this year.

He said: "I have never played there before so I don't know what to expect, to be honest with you. But we have got to go down there and give everything."

A number of the Bucks' current side are making the step up to the English fifth tier for the first time, but Phenix's rise has been more rapid than most.

The 25-year-old, who was on Bolton Wanderers' books as a youngster, had just two years ago been playing in the Manchester League for local side Hindsford.

Since then, it has been, to use the player's own words, a 'whirlwind' climb up the divisions to join Liam Watson's squad.

Phenix said: "I was at Hindsford for three years, then had a trial at Notts County and, from there, went to Droylsden.

"I then went to Skelmersdale where I loved it and that is where Telford took me from. It has been a bit of a whirlwind.

"I have skipped four, five, six leagues in a year so I have just got to get on with it, get my head down this season and you never know what will happen."

Phenix does not appear to have had many problems making the adjustment so far.

His brace against Southport in Monday's 3-3 draw at the New Bucks Head capped a series of promising displays following an opening day blip.

His dismissal at Welling, for two bookable offences, was the first of his career, but he has already put that disappointment firmly behind him.

And he insists that Telford's current squad are also more than capable of doing the same, following a difficult start.

The Bucks have claimed just two points from their opening five matches and enter tomorrow's match sitting above both Dartford and the relegation zone on goal difference, following an equally patchy start by their opponents.

But Phenix said: "I think a few of the lads are struggling to come to terms with the step up, but I don't think there is that much difference from the Conference North.

"There's only four or five in the division that quality-wise are going to be a lot better than us.

"You would have expected Bristol Rovers to be a lot better than us on Saturday and they weren't so I think everyone in the squad can do a job in this league."

One area in which he believes the team must make an extra effort to ensure they can compete though is fitness.

As one of 10 part-time teams in the division – as are Dartford – Phenix acknowledges that there is a gap to bridge.

He said: "We're training twice a week but are up against teams who train three or four times.

"For us, it's about using the time wisely and getting in your fitness when you can."