ROSSENDALE'S keeper Mark Andrews had the safest hands in the North West Counties First Division last month -- and has a new pair of gloves to prove it.

The 22-year-old shotstopper won the First Division 'safe hands' award after keeping three clean sheets out of four games in October.

Described as 'a bit of a character' by his manager Jim McCluskie, Andrews has also won praise for helping his side to the third round of the FA Vase last month -- where they now welcome Brigg Town to Dark Lane in December.

"I won the award last year, I think I get a pair of gloves which is better than nothing," said Andrews, who has been at Rossendale for just over a season.

"This is the highest level I've played at and I'm really enjoying it. We are a young bunch of lads and everyone at the club sticks together like glue on the field and off it.

"It's nice to get the award but to be honest, I've hardly touched the ball in the last month. It really belongs to the defence.

"I do try and keep them organised. I do quite a bit of shouting on the field and apparently I do quite a lot of shouting off the field when I've had a drink or two!"

Rossendale are on a run of eleven games without a defeat and are hoping to continue it tomorrow when they welcome Woodley Sports to Dark Lane in the North West Counties Division One.

"It's been a good run and we want to win some silverware this season," continued Andrews. "I've never won any trophies since I was 15 and I'd love to win the Vase -- especially to play at a Premiership stadium -- but we want to put the league first."

The main problem at Rossendale is getting the games on because of the bad weather. Even now tomorrow's home game is only 50/50.

"It's a blow as last time we played at home we won 7-1. We seem to be away all the time and we are desperate to go out in front of our home fans again," said manager McCluskie.

"It is nice to have a run but the idea is just to keep building on it. There is a long way to go yet and anything can happen."