BRIAN Welch is CLITHEROE manager Steve Parry's big concern as they bid to bridge the gap between themselves and the leading teams in the FNWTFL First Division tomorrow.

The experienced former Burnley and Accrington Stanley forward is suffering from Achilles and knee ligament problems and, after playing last Saturday, was forced to sit out the midweek trip to Ramsbottom.

Welch will need a late fitness test before tomorrow's game against Maine Road at Shawbridge and his power in attack could make all the difference for the Blues.

"We are looking much tighter but we need to take the chances we have been creating to turn draws into wins," said Parry, who has seen his side held in three of their last four games.

"The good thing is that we are better organised at the back than last year and we are still upbeat. We just need to start scoring more goals."

LOOKING to bounce back from their midweek FA Cup exit, ROSSENDALE UNITED travel to Leek CSOB with hopes of having almost a full-strength squad available.

Dark Lane boss Micky Graham will be able to recall players like Jim McCluskie, who missed the cup defeat at Ossett, and is optimistic that his team can climb the FNWTFL First Division table in the coming weeks.

"We were unbeaten in the league until we lost to Clitheroe and that was really down to ourselves," he said.

"I don't expect us to win every game but if we show similar commitment to that against Ossett, we will certainly win more than we lose. "And we have all season to keep on improving."

DANNY Goodall is set to return at left back for RAMSBOTTOM UNITED against Glossop North End at the Riverside ground tomorrow.

Goodall, formerly on the books of Blackburn Rovers, has recovered from a groin injury.

And that's a major boost for manager Ken Bridge as he attempts to steer the Rams to a position of respectability in the FNWTFL First Division.

"We are hoping for better things from now on after a difficult start when our form has been indifferent at times," said secretary John Maher.

Ramsbottom had to start the season with a sequence of away games because of ground problems but are now aiming to start climbing.

Steve Orrell misses his last Saturday game because of cricket commitments but recent loan signings from Trafford, Chris Patterson and Jamie Ramplin, are in the squad and hoping for better things.

In the midweek draw with Clitheroe, Ramplin was sent off and Patterson conceded the free kick which led to the opposition's equaliser!

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