Nelson’s fine Lancashire League form has Lord leaping

2:08pm Friday 16th May 2008

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NELSON chairman Milton Lord says he's delighted with his side's unbeaten start to the season.

Nelson's double win last weekend saw them catapult to the top of the Lancashire League after five games.

And Lord paid tribute to the entire squad - including New Zealand pro Craig McMillan - ahead of tomorrow's clash against Enfield at Dill Hall Lane.

He said: "Macca is a match-winner. A ton and a five-wicket haul against Bacup was a fantastic effort. He's a class act.

"But the whole team has done a job. Macca had a tough time in the first couple of weeks but the amateurs did the business.

"We're not naive enough to get carried away with things because it's a long season and it's a very open competition. But we're very pleased with the start we've had."

ACCRINGTON have revealed that David Lloyd's return to the club may not have been a one-off.

Officials are looking into the opportunity of the former Lancashire and England star playing at least one more game this season.

It is not yet known when Lloyd will be available, but the club is hoping the positive knock-on effects of his appearance last weekend, which prompted the biggest attendance at Thorneyholme Road for three years, will continue throughout the rest of the campaign.

"There were several new members who paid up on Saturday and hopefully it will have a long-term effect now, and that our small successes at the start of this season become a bigger one," said captain David Ormerod.

"He is looking to try to play some more games, we don't yet know when, but it makes it awkward for me in the selection process because I don't think him coming into the side weakened it at all."

Despite suffering their first defeat of the season at home to Haslingden last Saturday, Accrington recovered to beat Rawtenstall the following day, and they are expected to remain unchanged from that win when they travel to Todmorden tomorrow.

RAWTENSTALL will be looking to bounce back with a win against East Lancs after last Sunday's bad day at the office against Accrington.

"It was just one of those things," said skipper Andy Payne, whose side lost their unbeaten start to the season after they were skittled out for just 48.

"Everything we nicked went to the keeper but we are not going to beat ourselves up about it. We just have to respond with a win against East Lancs."

Peter Hanson, Will Cook-Martin and Graham King are all missing with Peter Seal, John Hayman and Matthew Barnes coming in to the starting line-up.

COLNE skipper Matt Wilson says youthful exuberance has been the reason for his side's poor batting performances this season.

Wilson says his players have to learn to back up professional Blake Snijman rather than going for big shots themselves.

"We have a lot of youngsters in the team whose natural game is to attack," said Wilson who play host to Church tomorrow.

"But we know it's all about chipping in and backing up our professional."

David Spokes comes in for Dave Warbank while there is also a place for Colin Varley.

Church captain Phil Gilrane insists his young side are still learning their trade as they look to return to winning ways following back-to-back losses at Rawtenstall and Enfield last weekend.

"It was very disappointing," said Gilrane. "But I don't think we were too far away in both games.

"As a team, we are not far off.

"We have enjoyed a couple of wins so far this season, and we've come a long way in a short space of time.

"Everyone is trying their best, and we're still waiting for our pro to hit top gear this year."