ATHERTON Collieries manager Michael Clegg will have extra incentive to beat 1874 Northwich when the Alder House men travel to the Barton Stadium on Saturday.

Apart from knowing victory against the third-placed side will edge his side closer to overtaking their opponents in the North West Counties Premier Division, Clegg is champing at the bit to get defeat their bogey side.

He said: "I have played them four times since I took over and they have won every time.

"So personally I really want to beat them this time and so do the lads so it is a game we want revenge and are really looking forward to."

Clegg will be keen for Colls to avoid a repeat of their 3-1 defeat to Saturday's opponents earlier this season.

He said: "We were 1-0 up at half-time then we made two clangers to make it 2-1 and they scored again. I think they deserved it on the day.

Colls had a quiet weekend after their tie against top-of-the-table Colne was off due to a water-logged pitch on Monday night and their trip to Bacup Borough was also a victim of the weather on Saturday afternoon.

Despite the frustration of their matches being called off, Clegg was staying positive.

He said: "We are on a good run of form and we are disappointed but it has given us a chance to get some people back from injury.

"Gareth Peet is back after being out for 10 weeks with an ankle problem and we have missed him.

"James Kirby has also been on the sidelines for a couple of months with his shins.

"Then Callum Jones from Ramsbottom had a few niggles.

"Having them back will be like new signings in our squad and we are in a good place at the minute.

"All the players are healthy and competition for places means no-one will be slacking."

Weather permitting, Colls also look forward to a clash with Padiham in the Lancashire Challenge Trophy quarter-finals at Alder House on Monday night.

Clegg said: "We want to win every game and are still in every cup.

"Padiham beat us 4-2 earlier this season and are one of three teams to beat us this season.

"They are in the bottom half of the table and when they beat us I thought they were going to be further up the table because of their performance.

"It is going to be a tough game."