A PROMOTION-hunting football team have found a soothing secret weapon -- and it is helping them to fire on all cylinders.

The lads from Rossendale United have been queuing up for massage treatments from students at Accrington and Rossendale College to help them warm up for games and recover from injuries.

And the sports therapy seems to be massaging the team's scorelines as well as their legs -- as the lads have scored 17 goals in their last three games and trounced the opposition in their last two matches winning 9-1 and 6-1.

The girls offered to strip the boys in blue down to their bare essentials to help them prepare for the 16 games they have left to play.

And the therapy is getting the thumbs up from the team's star players who are enjoying their best results this season.

Striker David Gray, 21, of Gladstone Street, Bacup, said: "I think the massages are a great idea -- I can't believe the performances we have put in since the massage sessions started.

"We are going to be feeling the pressure in the coming weeks, with all the matches that we have left to play.

"We are all pushing ourselves to gain promotion, although we realise we are far from being home and dry at this point.

"This means that I am always open to new ideas and anything that I think will help improve my game performance."

After the first treatments Rossendale thrashed rivals Cheadle Town 9-1.

And on Thursday night Flixton were in for similar treatment when the fired up Rossendale lads beat them 6-1.

Centre forward Paul Heavey, 26, is injured at the moment, so he's taking advantage of the therapy treatments.

He hopes that it will help him to get fit for future games.

Manager Jim McCluskie said: "Due to the heavy schedule at the moment, the sports therapy is helping the players' recovery."

And the Dark Lane lads need all the help they can get at the moment as they are playing three games per week due to the number of matches called off earlier in the season.

The students, who are using the massage sessions as practice for their sports therapy diploma, are finding the players to be a push-over when it comes to stimulating and relaxing them with their professional massage techniques.

The sessions consist of pre and post match massages to help warm the players up before the matches and to cool them down after playing for a hard 90 minutes.

Course tutor Judith Fitton-Thomas said: "The course is very practically based, this is why we have to get as much experience for the students as we possibly can.

"When the students have gained their diploma it can lead to work on health farms, gyms, sports clubs and mobile therapists."

And the Rossendale United lads are hoping the treatments will pay off for them, too.

The girls are now avid fans of Rossendale United and enjoy watching the games in-between treatments in order to keep up with their progress.

For further details on the Sports Therapy course contact Judith on: 01254 354202.