DALTON Steele is aiming to keep Winsford United in the top five until Christmas - then make a strike for the title.

But the Blues boss is still relying on a fully fit squad to see him through and although his side shot to second place in the league with a 3-2 win over Emley on Saturday, he is remaining cautious.

And the presence of scouts from Leeds United and Nottingham Forest at Barton Stadium on Saturday, believed to be watching goalkeeper Andy Oakes, could also present Steele with problems in picking the team he wants.

He said: "Under the circumstances we are doing very well and keep bouncing back, but we need to carry it on and stop conceding daft goals.

"We need to tighten up in certain departments but if we keep working we can keep up there and see what happens when everyone is fit and available again.

"If the players can keep clear of injuries and we're still in the top five at Christmas we can make a challenge. We're having a go now but when everyone is fit we can give it everything we've got."

Last night's Cheshire Cup encounter with Altrincham gave the Blues a break from UniBond Premier action but not from a punishing schedule which continues with league games at Whitby on Saturday and Runcorn on Tuesday.

Winsford's cup programme began to take shape this week with the draw for two cup competitions producing mouth-watering ties.

Their FA Cup campaign begins a week on Saturday away at Leigh in the second qualifying round.

The draw for the UniBond Cup second round was also made, with the Blues facing a trip across Mid Cheshire to play Witton Albion in the first week of November.

WINSFORD skipper Mark Came returns this week with his weekly column for the 1998-99 season. The injured defender begins his view from the sidelines on page 78.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.