STAND manager Nick Davis is determined to get Ewood Bridge fit for the NWCL First Division.

Stand are the runaway leaders of the Second Division and look odds-on for the title - but that will be wasted if their ground, the former home of Haslingden, is deemed not up to scratch.

But Davis - a builder - says there will be no excuses for not getting the nod from the NWCL.

"When we had the ground looked at last year, to get into the North West Counties League, they told us what needed to be done to get into both divisions.

"Obviously we did what we needed to get into the Second Division - or we wouldn't be here - and there is not much more to be done.

"We are re-laying the pitch at the end of the season and putting drains in - there aren't any under the pitch at the moment which is why it is so bad - and there is a wall which needs to be built in front of the dug out and things like that.

"There will be no excuses because I'll be able to do most of those jobs myself!"

Stand travel to Stone Dominoes tomorrow with confidence as high as it could be. The side are 12 points clear with two games in hand after 18 wins from 22 games this season.

"We have won three titles in a row so it is no surprise we are confident but it is my job to make sure they don't get over-confident."

Stand welcome Padiham to Ewood Bridge on Boxing Day.