Daisy practice is perfect prep for Steeton 4G pitch

Daisy Hill will be back in action this weekend when they head to West Yorkshire to take on Steeton in the North West Counties League First Division North on Saturday, writes Ian Templeman.

Storm Darragh put paid to last weekend’s scheduled home league fixture with AFC Blackpool, but an improving weather forecast for the weekend, and the Marley Stadium in Keighley having a 4G surface, should mean that there is little danger of Saturday’s game being called off.

Once last Saturday’s fixture fell foul of the weather, Daisy manager Lee Hill arranged a closed doors practice match on a local 4G pitch and said that it had been a useful exercise in preparing for this weekend’s trip across the Pennines.

“It was important to keep the lads together, and keep the momentum going from the win over Bacup two weeks ago”, said Hill.

“We have three or four new lads in the squad, and we wanted to continue to build relationships and partnerships all over the pitch.

“We also wanted to give some of the front players a chance to get on the score sheet which they did, so that was perfect.

“Also, the game was on a 4G pitch and with Steeton playing on 4G, it gave us a good chance to get in the frame of mind in preparing to be playing on that surface, rather than a heavy grass pitch. So overall, it was a good preparation for Saturday”.

Steeton sit in 15th place in the First Division North league table, just above the relegation positions, and come into Saturday’s game on the back of three defeats in their last four games, conceding ten goals in the process.

However, with the Yorkshire side already having won 3-2 in the league fixture earlier in the season at the Plumb Factory Stadium, Daisy boss Hill is aware of the threat they pose.

“I said to the players in midweek it’s important that we don’t go into the game over-confident”, said Hill.

“Steeton worked hard when they played us earlier in the season, and it doesn’t always come down to quality in this league. It can be about who works hard and who makes the fewest mistakes.

“For us, a win moves us further ahead of Steeton in the table, puts us further ahead of Ashton Town before we play them on Boxing Day, and gives us the chance to keep in touch with Ashton Athletic and ahead of Maghull as they play one another on Saturday.

“We’ve got games in hand of Bacup Borough and AFC Blackpool who are on the edge of the play off places, so in many ways it’s a really important game for us to win to keep pressure on the teams above us, and keep them in sight.

“It’s a long journey over there, but It’s a game to really look forward to for a number of reasons. The lads are up for the challenge, and as long as we are fully at it, that will be the key to us getting something out of the game”.

Kick off at the Marley Stadium is at 3 pm.