PITCHING IN NORTHERN PREM
MORPETH Town manager Craig Lynch has challenged his side to use the Christmas period to extend their stellar run of form.
The Highwaymen have lost just two of their last 20 games in all competitions and travel to Scarborough Athletic on Monday.
They are now four points clear of the Premier Division relegation zone and hold as many as four games in hand on the clubs around them in the table.
Monday’s visit to the Flamingo Land Stadium offers Lynch’s side a chance to move to within two points of a top-10 place if they can return victorious from their trip to the North Yorkshire coast.
The former Seaham Red Star manager is looking forward to the festive period and believes positive results in Monday’s game and the New Year’s Day home clash with Whitby Town can take them “a long way to where they want to be” this season.
“Christmas is always a big period for any side and it’s no different for us this season,” he said.
“We have been in really good form, we look as if we are making ourselves difficult to beat and that is something we wanted from the lads.
“We are looking up the table, rather than over our shoulders, but we still have a lot of work to do in a number of competitions.
“For now, the league is the big focus and a positive set of results over Christmas can take us a long way to where we want to be.”
Striker Carl Finnigan could make a comeback after fellow frontman Liam Henderson suffered a concussion in the recent win against Lancaster City.
Callum Morris and Ben Sayer will also miss out as they continue their comebacks from respective foot and hamstring injuries.
South Shields will return to action for the first time in over two weeks when they visit Whitby Town on Monday.
The Mariners attempts to bounce back from their recent home defeat against Hyde United were hampered by the postponement of their meeting with Witton Albion.
All eyes now turn towards the Turnbull Ground as Graham Fenton’s men look to keep up the pressure on leaders Buxton.
Mariners defender Jordan Hunter remains unavailable as he recovers from a broken arm and striker Darius Osei is suspended.
However, there is some good news for Fenton as JJ Hooper comes back into contention after missing the defeat against Hyde with a hip injury and food poisoning.