Manager wants four points from Easter games to ease away from drop

Report by NICK SMITH

STEVE Shaughnessy is still expecting to have the relegation jitters even if Winsford United have a successful Easter programme.

The Blues manager wants four points from his side's two matches, starting with a win at home to Farsley Celtic on Saturday at Barton Stadium (3pm).

If Winsford achieve this they will move to within two points of the Yorkshiremen and will have a game in hand going into Monday's clash at North Ferriby United.

Shaughnessy said: "Farsley have gone through a rough patch so they are going to be up for it, but if we play like we did against Chorley in our last game I can't see us slipping up.

"It's a major major weekend for us. We are playing against two teams who I feel we can beat, but it still depends on how results go elsewhere.

"Things are so tight you can't say it's all going to be over after this weekend, but I think we need to pick up four points from the two games."

Last Saturday's trip to Guiseley was rained off, but it may yet prove to be a blessing in disguise in terms of the UniBond Division One table.

It means Winsford's rivals don't have games in hand on them any more and defeats for Gretna (to Witton Albion) and Kendal Town mean their destiny is in their own hands.

"We should have games called off more often," joked Shaughnessy. "We seem to have done better in the division without playing and we are much better placed now than we were before the Chorley game."

A question mark hangs over David Lowe's fitness, but Shaughnessy is hopeful Wes Simpson, on loan from Northwich Vics, will have recovered from a calf strain to feature in both bank holiday matches.

MIDDLEWICH Town have lost their place at the top of the Mid Cheshire League.

Saturday's home game with Bollington was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, allowing Barnton to regain the lead with a 7-0 thrashing of third placed Poynton.

Town travel to Garswood United this Saturday and Pilkington on Easter Monday.