League-leaders FC St Helens will look to make it 10 matches without defeat as they begin their sequence of three successive fixtures at home, starting with Holker Old Boys’ visit on Saturday.
What happened, last time?
The corresponding fixture, on the opening weekend of the campaign, saw FC St Helens’ lowest scoring match of the season until last week’s 0-0 stalemate with Ashton Town.
A first-half Tom Scarborough goal saw the pace-setters get off to the ideal start – in what has been a good season so far.
FC St Helens
The Stripes have enjoyed a fruitful campaign that has seen them win 20 of their 31 matches in all competitions.
They earned a vital point on the road last time out and they’ll fancy their chances in this one at a stadium where they have lost just once all season.
Holker Old Boys
Although FC St Helens will be confident that they can further improve their promotion chances this weekend, the visitors have their own priorities and won’t be taken lightly in their pursuit of a playoff place.
Just below that dotted line, a win here could prove significant when the final whistle blows – not just this weekend, but at the end of the season.
Ones to watch:
Ethan Van-Aston
In and out of the side, due to rotation in a squad with a great depth of quality, the man who usually plies his trade in defence made a great impression on the wing when he found himself in the starting 11 against Ashton Town.
With footballing intelligence, both on and off the ball, as well as pace and a wicked left foot, Van-Aston has been an astute addition to Smith’s squad and could be a problem for the visitors this weekend.
Jamie Hodgson
With 13 goals to his name for the campaign making him Holker’s top scorer for the season, Hodgson has averaged a goal every other match.
A playoff place remains within reach for his side, but the goalscoring exploits of Hodgson and 11-goal marksman Brandon Collins has been a focal point in their climb towards the upper reaches of the division.
