ACCRINGTON'S new club captain David Ormerod believes team-mate Matt Wilson did the right thing in stepping down as skipper.

Wilson, 32, resigned from the demanding role in an effort to concentrate on his own game.

The top-order batsman decided it was time for a change, and with the pressures of captaining the Lancashire League strugglers, who remain at the foot of the table with just one win from 11, it had affected his own performances.

"It's all change," said Ormerod. "The club's in a state of change at the moment. Matt had decided it was time to step down.

"He had done the job for a couple of years and done a great job because sometimes he hasn't had the players to work with.

"Captaining a losing side is hard to do but to his credit he stuck at it until he felt it was time for him to move on.

"He's got a young family so it means he will be able to concentrate on them a little bit.

"He is our premier amateur batsman and it has been telling on him and his performances, but now he will be able to go out there and play."

Despite taking on the captaincy on a permanent basis, experienced bowler Ormerod is suffering with a groin injury, so Michael Horsfield will deputise, starting with tomorrow's trip to ENFIELD.

Brian Heywood is ruled out with a hamstring strain but Stuart Crabtree returns from suspension BURNLEY captain Jon Harvey is hoping to steer his in-form side to victory in their derby battle with Lowerhouse at Turf Moor as the defending champions bid to trim a 21-point deficit on Rishton.

Harvey said: "I think everybody is chipping in and there has been a little bit more consistency in our performances."

Daniel Pickup returns for Burnley in place of Mohammed Jamal.

Lowerhouse are without captain Jon Finch, so Matt Hope takes charge.

TODMORDEN skipper Jon Henderson is hoping his side can build on their back-to-back wins last weekend as they face high-flying East Lancs.

Wins over Lowerhouse and Enfield have raised spirits in the Centre Vale side's camp and Henderson is hoping for more of the same at Alexandra Meadows.

He said: "It's a tough assignment but we're looking forward to the game. Confidence is high and we're playing well but we'll need to get their pro early because he's flying at the moment."

Todmorden are without Ben Sutcliffe, Andrew Sutcliffe and Matt Brierley so James Morgan, Oliver Wood and James Crossley come in. Mo Patel replaces Andy Clague for East Lancs.

The return of Craig McMillan failed to get Nelson the results they so badly need. But skipper Mike Bradley reckons their derby clash with Colne could be the spark that ignited their season.

He said: "If we can put the two together then we'll start to win games and the Colne game is very important given that it is a derby and our position in the league."

Michael Wrigglesworth comes in to the Colne team in place of David Spokes.

Leaders Rishton travel to lowly Church with an 18-point cushion over second placed East Lancs.

For Church, Adam Greenwood, Phil Gilrane and Andrew Bentley are all unavailable as Ryan North and Levi Wolfenden step in.

Shaun Hutchinson and Jon Dobson replace Mark Leathert and John Cordingley for Rishton.

BACUP pro Chris Harris returns to his former side RAMSBOTTOM, where he achieved the double a decade ago.

The Acre Bottom clash sees the hosts unchanged, while for Bacup, Paul Gallagher replaces Thomas Hartley Rawtenstall get ready to face Haslingden at Bacup Road. Lee Ingham steps in to replace Muneeb Ahmed in the Haslingden side, while Peter Wrathmell starts for the hosts.