Lancs FA Marsden Trophy - round one

DAVE Hall hopes his players can begin plotting a re-run last season's cup heroics tonight.

His Nelson side host Great Harwood Town in the first round of the Lancashire FA Marsden Trophy, a competition they reached the last eight of last year.

Although Hall had already taken a break from management by the time Nelson eventually lost to Morecambe, he knows the benefits that a similar run will bring to the club.

And after being the only North West Counties side to get to the quarter-finals last season, he hopes the experience of playing bigger clubs will stand his squad in good stead for a promotion push from Division Two.

"We had a good run in the Marsden last year getting to the quarter-finals, so it was a good experience," said Hall.

"We played Morecambe at home and although it was after I'd left, for us something like that is good for money in the coffers.

"The chances of winning the trophy are extremely slim, but if we could put a run together we'd bring some well-earned money in."

Tonight's opponents will also provide some inspiration for Nelson, as they look to tread the same path Harwood did last year.

Hall added: "Great Harwood are a league above us, but they are a local side who have gone up into a higher division and we'll look to do exactly the same."

Craig Bradshaw is set to give the Blues a welcome boost with a return to first team action.

He is Nelson's top scorer this term with eight goals but has been out through injury for almost two months.

Meanwhile, Great Harwood Town manager Dave Sharples is hoping for vast improvements throughout his side.

However, the Robins chief admitted he would be prepared to settle for more below par performances, as long as it meant finishing on the winning team.

"Saturday was the worst performance since I took over as manager," said Sharples after his side's 2-1 win over Division Two strugglers Castleton Gabriels in the League Challenge Cup.

"Saying that though, if that happens every week, so long as we win, I'm not too bothered.

"It could have been down to attitude because every game we've gone into before that, we've been underdogs."

Looking ahead to tonight he added: "It's another cup game and it gives me a chance to have a look at the lads again and maybe try a few different things."

Sharples has added James Coonan to an already fully fit squad.