COLNE manager Steve Cunningham hopes his side can carry their momentum into a manic March following a dormant February.

The Reds won their fifth league game in succession, beating West Didsbury and Chorlton 5-0 on Saturday afternoon, but it was the first time they had played in the North West Counties Premier Division for a month.

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They travel to mid-table outfit Abbey Hey this evening looking to move into sixth and the manager is somewhat relieved to have a busy schedule, stating that a lack of match practice cost his team in the Men United Cup quarter final against Atherton Collieries from the division below.

“Because we hadn’t played in such a long time, that game probably came along too soon for us and we weren’t at the races so we got knocked out,” said Cunningham.

“We had another two-week break afterwards, but bounced back well at the weekend. The lads were definitely at it.

“We had a really good chat before the game about having to be up for certain matches if we’ve not played for a while beforehand and the lads were definitely at it on Saturday.

“We were fast out of the blocks and caused two own goals through our own pressure which settled our nerves and allowed us to get into our rhythm.”

The Colne manager believes his team are in a false position due to the number of games they trail other sides by.

In fact, the Reds have as many as nine games in hand and Cunningham wants his players to finish the season on a high.

“We’ve won five games on the bounce but the league table doesn’t really show how well we’re doing because we have had so many games postponed. The lads have a challenge now to finish as high as we can.

“We want to finish fourth at a minimum because it would be the highest the club has ever finished.”

“They are all chomping at the bit to start playing Saturday, then Tuesday so we are looking forward to it but if we keep the wins coming then the lads can see that it is worthwhile.”