With scheduled opponents Flixton playing in the F.A. Cup, Nelson have been assigned a home match against Ashton Town.

The kick-off is 3pm as usual and gives Blues an ideal opportunity to earn a vital three points which would more than likely propel us into the top six of the division and give us a great psychological boost.

We will go into the match as favourites, with Ashton having failed to pick up a solitary win from their seven matches so far this season.

However, there was a similar expectancy last year, when we slumped to a shock 3-1 home defeat which started us on a slippery slope we never escaped from.

But, with the goals flowing, a solid performance from the boys in blue could and should see us moving in the right direction in what appears to be - Cammell Laird apart - a very wide open division.