HAVING gone through six of them last season, Colne manager Denzil Hart is facing up to another goalkeeping crisis at Holt House just three games into the new season.

Matt Judge, the new first choice, injured his hand during Wednesday night's 4-1 defeat to Oldham Town, one of last season's strugglers.

He is doubtful for tomorrow's game and Mick Wilkinson, the reserve team keeper, is set to become Colne's 10th different goalkeeper in 12 months in the NWCL.

The latest setback to Judge follows a similar injury to John Parker which has sidelined him since pre-season and Mark Grundy has been unavailable because of work commitments.

"We go through more goalkeepers here than pairs of socks," said Hart, trying to see the funny side of Colne's apparent goalkeeping jinx. "It's definitely been a big problem.

"No one's going to win anything without a goalkeeper, not even Manchester United.

"It's a very specialist area and it's difficult to get hold of reliable keepers who will make the commitment to you.

"We went through six last year where, in most sides, the keeper is an ever-present.

"It's such a vital position on the park and we have been unlucky trying to fill it."

Most Colne supporters were optimistic following a good pre-season in which the team played some good football.

But some old habits have been resurrected in each of the opening two games of the Second Division campaign.

"We have not got over the nerves, we haven't been able to go out and do it for real," said Hart.

"There has been a big change of personnel close season and a lot of these lads have not played at this level.

"I think some of us are still suffering from stage fright.

"Because of this we are still throwing games away through silly mistakes.

"We can stay with teams for most of the match and then just have a bad spell that kills us off.

"I don't know why this is - if I did I can assure you we wouldn't still be doing it."

Tomorrow Colne travel to Fleetwood Wanderers, a new side to the NWCL but an outfit with considerable financial backing and roots in UniBond League football. "They will be formidable and are the one of the favourites at the outset to take the title," added Hart.

"But it's important for us not to concern ourselves with what the opposition is about.

"We have to think about what we can do.

"We've still got the stigma of last season hanging over us.

"But we know we can do better.

"We just have to start putting it together on the field.

"Getting results in our home games is crucial.

"Winning away from home - perhaps even tomorrow - would be excellent."

Goalkeeping problems aside, Hart has three others out for tomorrow's tie.

Chris Webster, a forward, has an ankle injury, as has another forward, Dean Moran.

Midfielder Chris Nuttall is away on holiday.

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