Band: So far so good

AS Mossley gear up for a hectic Christmas spell in the Evo-Stik League Division One North, joint-manager Peter Band is pleased with the progress his side have made so far this term.

The Lilywhites currently sit in 10th place in the table, handily poised for a potential play-off push in the New Year.

Band’s men travel to fifth-placed Scarborough Athletic tomorrow, then it’s New Mills away on Boxing Day, Bamber Bridge at home on December 28, Padiham at home on New Year’s Day and Northwich Victoria away on January 3.

Band said: “Our home form could be better, but overall myself and Lloyd (joint-boss Morrison) have been pleased with how the season has panned out so far.

“We’ve already got 29 points in the bag. If we win all our five games over the holidays — and we are going for that of course — then that takes us to 44. We only got 42 points throughout the whole of last season.

“It is all about progress in what is a very tough league, but we’re doing okay and it has been particularly nice to prove a few doubters wrong.

HOLDING

“Quite a few people said we would struggle this season, but we’re holding our own and at the moment we’ve got a fully-fit squad who are all chomping at the bit.

“We’ll need that squad over these next few games, though.

“We’ve got 24 or 25 lads available and we will need to rotate it around a bit.”

While Band (pictured) is ambitiously hoping for maximum points from Mossley’s next five games, he will no doubt realise that his team are facing a stern test tomorrow following their trek to the East Coast.

Scarborough are flying under recently-appointed management pair Bryan Hughes and Paul Foot, having won their last four games.

However, one of only three home wins for Mossley so far this season came against Athletic, 2-1 in September.

CHADDERTON will be keen to get back into North-West Counties League First Division action after seeing their last two weekend’s scheduled fixtures postponed due to inclement weather.

Tomorrow they are due to host Litherland REMYCA when they will hope to extend a super run of four straight victories.

OLDHAM BORO, meanwhile, are currently on a run of four straight defeats.

They remain rooted to the foot of the First Division table, four points adrift of second-bottom Wigan Robin Park.

Boro entertain sixth-placed Hanley Town at Seel Park tomorrow.

All the above games kick-off at 3pm.