WINSFORD United face a tough test in what promises to be an exciting first week of their 1998-99 UniBond Premier League campaign.

The Blues travel to Gainsborough Trinity, who finished fifth last season, on Saturday before the visit of big-spending Altrincham on Tuesday.

The Robins will bring a host of big summer signings to Barton Stadium, including former United winger Darren Lyons who manager Dalton Steele tried to bring back to Winsford in the summer.

However, the financial pulling power which prised Steele's top transfer targets away to other UniBond clubs in the summer, scuppered his plans again.

But the manager who led the Blues to eight wins from ten games in a spectacular start last season, feels he has a strong squad and is relishing the challenge.

He said: "We look forward to the big games and we proved last season we can raise ourselves for these matches.

"None of the games are easy at this level and you have to play them all at some time. But once we get into playing teams of our own ilk, I'm confident.

"We've built on last year's squad and the players know each other's game."

The corresponding fixture with Altrincham last term attracted the season's biggest league gate to Barton Stadium and a strong following is guaranteed to travel across Cheshire again.

Then next Saturday, Leigh, who came in third last season, provide more stiff opposition at Barton Stadium.

Steele has few fitness problems as he enters the big kick-off, although midfielder Garry Thomas will miss the opening games, serving a three-match suspension for his sending-off against Northwich Vics in the Mid-Cheshire Cup Final.

The Blues completed their packed pre-season programme with a 2-2 draw at Flixton on Saturday.

The latest new face in the line-up was Tony Shields, a trialist from Bradford City, but it was the more familiar Joe Connor and Dave German, from the penalty spot, who bagged Winsford's goals.

Steele did not make the trip to his former club, still scouting for a striker to complete his squad strengthening.

The under-18s take on Runcorn in a friendly at Barton Stadium tonight (Wednesday), kick-off 6.30pm.

The match is the youngsters' last dress rehearsal before they kick off their first ever league campaign, and is sponsored by former general manager Ernie Welch.

The under-18s take their competitive bow at home against Euxton Villa on Sunday, in the Bolton and District Football Combination League, kick-off 2pm.

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