PADIHAM manager Graham Howarth is confident his side can triumph against the odds against league leaders at AFC Liverpool tomorrow.

With greater financial clout than the rest of the league, the newly-formed club are expected to clinch the Vodkat Division One in their first year in existence, and are already top of the pile.

However, the Merseysiders are not invincible, having lost three league games this season, while third-placed Storks have only two defeats to their name.

“Come the end of the season, whoever finishes above AFC Liverpool will be champions,” said Haworth. “But that’s if anybody does finish above them.

“They’ve got more money than the rest – it was just like when FC United were in our league.

“But we will treat the game like any other and, if we can get anything out of the game, then I’ll be more than happy.”

Padiham will be without Chris Hidehalgh, suspended for picking up five yellow cards, as Danny Sharples steps in.