Read Sam's thoughts ahead of Saturday's game

Since our last home match, we have had two very good results on the road, winning 0-1 away to Bacup and then gaining a very good point in a 0-0 draw away at FC St. Helens. Both matches were very tough but for very different reasons.

Travelling to Bacup is one of the most challenging games of the season, the crowd are extremely vocal and they are a very hard-working team who apply pressure all over the pitch. To come away with a 0-1 win demonstrates our mentality to withstand the pressure teams such as Bacup put on us and we thoroughly deserved the three points.

The match last Saturday at FC St. Helens was a brutal affair played out in temperatures exceeding 34 degrees. Ultimately, neither side created many clear-cut chances and understandably lacked the energy needed to break the other side down. As a result, the game ended with a 0-0 draw and a well-deserved point.

 It has been a very positive start to the season but at this stage, that is all it is. The consistency of performance is what I am looking for and so far, the players have matched my expectations of the group. The challenge for us to maintain these levels and if we can do that on a consistent basis, we will have a successful season. 

On Saturday we welcome Holker Old Boys who I thought last season thoroughly deserved to be promoted, but ultimately just fell short at the final hurdle in the play-off final to Golcar. They are a superb team and we know today will be a tough challenge but one we can’t wait to take on.