Teams live in hope

NON-League FOOTBALL: WILL followers of the non-league scene finally get to see some football this weekend?

Our three local clubs live in hope that the forecast thaw comes in time to save their respective fixtures tomorrow.

Mossley go to Colwyn Bay for a UniBond League division one north fixture.

Meanwhile, in division one of the Vodkat North-West Counties League, Chadderton are at home to Rochdale Town and Oldham Boro travel to Stone Dominoes.

With snow still lying in most parts of the country, the best chance of any action is probably on the north coast of Wales.

Mossley, whose last game was on December 15 when they were beaten 4-1 by Salford City, face a side with promotion firmly in their sights.

Colwyn Bay sit second in the standings, three points adrift of Lancaster City, whereas Chris Willcock’s visitors are below mid-table.

But the Lilywhites, who include new signings Matty Russell, a right winger from Curzon Ashton, and goalkeeper Johnny McSwain, from Stalybridge Celtic, for the first time, will be buoyed by their hosts’ recent form of two straight defeats, the last of them coming against Radcliffe on New Year’s Day.

Prospects are bleak at Broadway, where Chadderton, who haven’t played for more than six weeks, are due to entertain basement boys Rochdale Town.

“We trained on the pitch on Wednesday night and the snow was still coming over our ankles,” said Chadderton manager Paul Buckley.

“It is also frozen underneath, so at this stage I would say we’ve got no chance.”

Oldham Boro have the unenviable task of trying to take points off title-seeking Stone Dominoes.

Boss Tony Mills is doing all he can to keep the Whitebank Stadium club going — they are third from bottom — but he can expect few favours against their high-flying hosts, who are five points clear of Leek CSOB.