IT doesn't get much harder for Great Harwood Town as they look to finally kick off their new year at NWCL Division One table toppers Fleetwood Town.

The bad weather has meant that Harwood haven't played their last four league clashes and they are now ten points adrift at the bottom of the table - although have seven games in hand on the team just above them Formby.

And if they do get a game in on Saturday, it's the difficult task of beating the league leaders on their own turf (ko 3pm)

"It's a hard one to come back to but we don't have anything to lose," said boss Dave Sharples. "We haven't played them yet this season but I have seen them and I think they are the favourites to get promoted.

"Fleetwood are managed by Tony Greenwood and he has an experienced side there.

"One of their lads, Lee Catlow, is the league's leading scorer with 24 goals. I guess we will have to single him out but it is a tough one."

He admitted a month without games could hinder his side.

"I have to hope we aren't ring rusty as we haven't played for a month - we have had a winter break without asking for one!

"I think our last game was December 18 so I will just have to hope the lads are raring to go.

"We have just had to keep ticking over in training but there is nothing like playing."

Sharples will be without second top scorer John Eastham because of work commitments and Matt Houldsworth has an inflamed toe. But James Dean is back in the starting line-up.

"If we get anything out of the Fleetwood game it is a bonus," continued Sharples. "It has always been a tough place to go and with them being top and us bottom, it just makes it even harder."

And then Harwood are ready for the big one next weekend when they take on fellow relegation side Formby.

"That is a huge game for us. It is a real six pointer. But, I know it is a cliche, but we have just got to take it one game at a time and hope we get something out of Fleetwood first."

  • FORMER Great Harwood boss John Hughes left Chorley at Christmas. He has been succeeded at Victory Park by Sean Teale.