THE fuel crisis put paid to Stand Athletic's game with Salford outfit Willows at Ewood Bridge, leaving them free to concentrate on prepararations for tomorrow's trip to Prestwich Heys.

The fixture should see a large crowd attracted to Sandgate Road to witness a derby match that never lacks passion.

Much will be made of the pre-match hype involving these two sides, but Stand will see this encounter as another opportunity to secure three points as their season begins to warm-up.

Despite currently holding down second place in the table, Stand still reckon to have made a slow start to the campaign.

This is due mainly to Nick Davis's squad being ravaged by injuries. As a result, they have been forced to change selection from week to week.

This situation was not helped by Paul O'Keefe's horrific injury against Stockport the previous Saturday, but the return of Gallagher, Stott and Steve Davis is now nearer and, with the promise of further signings, Stand's squad appears to be coming together.

Hopefully, that will be followed by performances similar to those that carried them to the last two league titles.

Stand have drawn league rivals Willows away in the County Challenge Trophy on October 28 at Salteye Park.

The Heys' players didn't get the chance to put their feet up either following last Saturday's cancellations.

They were called in for training under the watchful eye of new coach Barrie Milburn, who has replaced Nick Woods in the role following Nick's departure to Stand Athletic, where he has been named assistant manager.

Milburn comes with an impressive track record. He played semi-professional football throughout his career before moving into coaching where he worked with Heys' manager Steve Braithwaite and Joe Murty at Oldham Town, winning the North West Counties League Second Division.

He then went on to coach and manage at Buxton before taking time out to gain his UEFA coaching badge.

It's only three weeks since Heys met Stand at Haslingden when Heys took the honours with a 3-2 victory over the champions on a memorable and eventful night.

Both sides are among the early pace-setters and another absorbing local derby looks on the cards tomorrow. If it proves to be anything like the first match, then it is a match not to be missed.

Heys will have tickets for their forthcoming Sportsman's Dinner on sale tomorrow. The evening, to be staged at the Village Hotel, Prestwich, on Thursday, October 26, features Wilf McGuinness, GMR's Jimmy Wagg and comedian Mike Farrell.

Tickets are £30 and all proceeds go towards Heys' Development Fund, which will be officially launched at the beginning of October.

The club will also unveil its development plan, aimed at improving facilities at Sandgate Road and making Heys a much broader, community-based club.