STAND get the chance to test themselves against higher-league opposition tomorrow when they meet Great Harwood in the Worthington Challenge Trophy at Haslingden's Ewood Bridge ground (ko 1pm).

Manager Nick Davis, who has won the manager of the month award for September, is still 'pinching himself' after the NWCL Division Two side's fantastic start to the new season, which has seen them win 10 of their opening 13 games. "I said at the beginning of the season that I'd be happy with a top six finish but now I have set my sights a little higher," he said.

"But I am not too concerned about the cup competitions to be honest. I just want to concentrate on the league.

"I will be resting a few players because playing on Saturdays and Tuesdays has been killing us."

Great Harwood manager Denis Underwood knows Stand could be a banana skin for his First Division side, who have made a better start to this campaign than the last one, winning two and drawing five of their opening eight fixtures. "It is important we win, especially after getting knocked out of the other two cups," he said.