THE first piece of silverware is up for grabs this afternoon as the annual Lancashire League curtain-raiser sees Accrington and Burnley lock horns at Thorneyholme Road.

Last year’s champions Accrington, now under the leadership of Stuart Crabtree, host Bharat Tripathi’s Worsley Cup kings in the annual Ron Singleton Colne Trophy – and the game promises to be close.

Accrington are the current holders of the league’s ‘charity shield’ and are determined to keep their hands of the smart piece of silverware.

It is the second of three games over the weekend for Accrington after yesterday’s Lancashire Cup derby in the sunshine against Hyndburn rivals Church and they are keen to hit the ground running.

The game sees new pro Ockert Erasmus play his first home match, while new Burnley pro Chris Holt is relishing the chance to show off his talents on the Lancashire League stage after his successes in the Ribblesdale League with Padiham.

Accrington are without Graham Lloyd and Marley Ali but David Ormerod leads the attack, David Brown takes his place in the Burnley side.