Berry targets Shelley response

SHELLEY manager Ash Berry is seeking a rapid response as his side aim to get their challenge for promotion to the North West Counties League Premier Division firmly back on track tonight.

After losing 3-1 at Cleator Moor Celtic on Saturday, the Huddersfield team occupy the fourth and final promotion sport in the First Division North as they prepare to host second-placed AFC Liverpool at the Stafflex Arena (8pm).

Shelley are 11 points better off than a quartet of chasers, but of them, Huddersfield rivals Golcar United and Ashton Town have three games in hand and Prestwich Heys two.

Berry’s men paid the price for failing to take their chances at Cleator Moor as they suffered only a second defeat in 15 matches in all competitions. The setback took the gloss of a good spell for Shelley, who claimed successive wins at AFC Darwen (2-0) and Atherton Laburnum Rovers (4-0) before Matty Waller was named First Division North Player of the Month and Paul Day First Division North Goalkeeper of the Month for February. Waller will be aiming to add to a 20-goal haul against AFC Liverpool, who are seeking a third consecutive win and have scored 91 times in 29 league matches. Shelley are aiming for a double after a 2-1 win over AFC Liverpool at the Marine Travel Arena in December. “It’s a big game,” said Berry.

“We have a cushion at the moment, but that will soon change if we stop picking up points, so it’s important we get back on course as quickly as we can.”