Daisy Hill have no game this weekend, but are back in action immediately after Christmas with two games in the space of 48 hours in the North West Counties League First Division North.

A trip to Ashton Town on Boxing Day is followed by a home game against Maghull on Saturday, December 28, and Daisy manager Lee Hill is confident his side are in good shape to pick up more league points, after encouraging performances and results in the past three weeks.

“I think we have shown in recent games that the lads who have come in have helped us in the areas we needed to address, and our performances are definitely improving,” said Hill.

“We’ve got a strong squad now, and with two games back to back, that should be a real advantage for us.

“We have trained as normal this week and will then give the lads a break before we regroup for the Ashton game on Boxing Day. The weather forecast looks good for next week, so the games will hopefully be on, which is a positive.

“Personally, I’d probably rather have a break from playing over Christmas, but the fact all the other teams in the league are in the same boat makes it a level playing field, so it’s fine from that point of view.”

With both future opponents next to Daisy in mid-table, Hill is well aware of the opportunity his side have to end the year on a positive note.

He added: “We are definitely going into the games looking to pick up six points, we have to have that mentality and headspace. After a win over Bacup and a draw against Steeton in our last two games, if we can pick up two wins, that then turns into a good run of form.

“We have to approach the week with an eye on both games and prepare for each one individually, although we obviously also have to factor in who is available, take into account form of individual players in the Ashton game, and look to rotate the squad, too.

“We will be as prepared as we can be, and the fact that competition for places in the team is so tough at the minute will also help us.

“Ashton Town have been a bit of a bogey team for us in recent years, although we only lost narrowly to them back in the FA Vase in October, and I feel the squad is a bit stronger now than it was then, certainly in numbers.

“I would like to think we will give a better account of ourselves this time, but Ashton had a good result in midweek, a 4-3 win over Maine Road, and Maghull had a good result in their last game, and we are all just separated by two points in the league table.

“It’s a good test for us, they are both going to be tough games, and the other two teams will be just as motivated as we are. Two back to back wins would take us past the 30-point mark going into the New Year, and would put us in a good place, especially when you consider we finished last season on 35 points. It’s a challenge that the squad relish and they understand the importance of it.”