Top-three test (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Top-three test

8:33am Friday 31st August 2007 in Sport By Dennis Aris

EARLY Unibond premier leaders Guiseley lie in wait for Lee Ashcroft's Kendal Town at home on Tuesday evening after his side secured its first league victory over the Bank Holiday weekend, writes Richard Daniels.

First, Town face another of the pacesetters with a trip to third-placed Hednesford Town in Staffordshire on Saturday (3pm).

A 1-0 win at Buxton on Saturday gave Town the boost they were seeking after two league defeats against Leek Town and Prescot Cables,.

But they failed to follow up against Witton Albion at home on Monday and went down 2-0.

Ashcroft told the Gazette: "We have two tricky fixtures ahead, but I am very positive about what can be achieved and learned a lot over the weekend.

"All of the players know when they let me down and some of them will be going if things do not improve - there will be changes it's as simple as that."

Ashcroft expressed frustration that several of his first-team squad players had been unavailable for last weekend's matches.

However, all are back in contention for places in the starting line-up ahead of Saturday's game against Hednesford.

He also was hoping to seal a new signing before kick-off, though ongoing negotiations meant he did not want to reveal details.

Striker Gareth Arnison, who was unavailable because of a family holiday, comes back into the reckoning, while full back Paul Bryne is expected to return, having served a three-match suspension from last season during which he has got married and had the honeymoon!

Town fans have been waiting for a sight of new central defender Tony Hallam, signed from Cammel Laird, for the past fortnight, but were again disappointed when Ashcroft gave him another week to recuperate from a groin strain.

"There's no point rushing him into action unless he's fully fit," said Ashcroft.

Fellow centre-back Jonathon Forbes also missed the last two games after suffering sickness and diaorrhea following Thursday's training session, but is over the bug.

Monday' match was the first chance to see full back Rob Henry, who has moved from Leek Town, and made his debut against Prescot.

Guiseley top the table with the only 100 per cent winning record after four straights wins over North Ferriby (5-0), Stamford (3-2), Eastwood (1-0) and Ossett (2-0).