Mayfield Preview

Lewis Sheridan, Mayfield

Rochdale Mayfield travel to Hull on Saturday for their Kingstone Press Cider NCL Premier Division game at the Community Park Ground in Humberside where they face current champions West Hull.

Their opponents are third from bottom at the moment having had, by their own standards what can only be described as a poor season. They have been champions for the last two years and have shocked many with their apparent demise this time around.

The league table may give a false impression of the quality within the Hull side as they have lost some games by just one and two points, so Mayfield Coach Matt Calland has prepared his side for a duel with the champions, not a run out against one of the bottom clubs.

The way they are playing at the minute Mayfield fancy their chances against anyone and will be travelling with a strong squad and a determination to return with the two points on offer.

Mayfield chairman Simon Howe said: "You know when you travel to Hull you are in for a tough game, West are a young side with a lot of skill and some big forwards. It's just a matter of time before they find their form and start winning games so our lads know they will have to be on top form to produce the win.

“Our coaching team, Matt and Sam Butterworth, have worked wonders this season exceeding everyone’s expectations and they are acutely aware of what is needed. The division is still very tight with only five points separating the top six. So any team that slips up will start to lose ground and nobody wants that at this stage of the season. Whatever happens in Hull I know the Mayfield side will give it their best shot and do themselves and the club proud."

Mayfield will still be without Joe Quanici who had a scan this week on a troublesome knee injury but everyone else has reported fit after last week’s rest.

The form of the side has been great lately apart from a couple of slight hiccups but even then they have done enough to win games. The defence was the main worry up until recently with Mayfield at one stage having the worst point’s difference in the Premier division, they have worked hard to rectify this and that hard work is paying dividends.

West Hull have one of the best defences in the league with only Wath Brow having conceded less points so Mayfield will have to on top of their attacking game and that’s where their ball players will come into their own, Brearley, Dec and Lewis Sheridan and Sam Butterworth have all been superb this season spreading quality passes all over the pitch and this has opened up even the most stubborn of defences.

The Mayfield pack has revelled in this with Gleeson, Johnson, Whalley and Callum Marriott showing their class week after week.

Two points on Saturday will go a long way to securing a top six finish and give Mayfield a well-deserved shot at the play offs.

The NWML side has a home fixture on Saturday against local rivals Oldham St Anne.

This has been a poor season so far for Dave Harmer and Craig White's team with players not showing up for games and training but the last couple of weeks has seen an improvement with players from the 16s and 18s stepping in to fill the gaps. They were unlucky to go down to a very good Leigh Miners team in their last outing and will be hoping to carry the same spirit forward into Saturday’s game.

Fixtures 15 August 2015

NCL Premier Division
West Hull v Mayfield - kick off 2.30pm

NWML Division Two
Mayfield v St Annes - kick off 2.30pm