Salford City will be looking for a third consecutive win when they travel to Skelmersdale United today, kick off 3pm.
That may prove difficult if history is anything to go by.
The Ammies haven’t won any of their previous eight matches at the West Lancashire Community stadium, losing seven and drawing one; a 2-2 draw in November 2010.
However, the most recent encounter between the two teams did see Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley’s men have considerable success, with The Ammies securing a 4-0 win.
Since that game Skem have proved to be a side that, although dangerous are never consistent enough to break out of the lower end of mid-table.
After a three-match winning run they have lost five of their last six, including the last four, but that won’t make them easy targets for a Salford side who still boast one of the best away record in the league showing 12 wins and league lows of one draw and four defeats.
They have already claimed scalps over leaders Blyth Spartans and Workington, and came within minutes of beating Darlington before Graeme Armstrong scored in the 90th minute to salvage a point.
A win for Skelmersdale however, could see them overtake Grantham town and move to within four points of a top half finish, although that would still be a regression on last years seventh place finish.
Tommy Lawson’s squad will be boosted by the signing of Mike Brewster, who looks set to make his debut in Skem blue after signing from Southport on loan. The midfielder has joined on loan until the end of the season.
Described by Sandgrounders manager Dino Maarmia as a “hardworking prospect with passing ability far beyond his age,” he could be a major influence on the game.
Add to that narrow losses to Ashton and Stourbridge and it wipes away any thoughts of sitting back or complacency.
The fight for the play-off places has always been fierce in the Evo-Stik Premier Division, however this year is proving to be extremely competitive.
Just eight points separate Salford in second and Ashton in seventh, and with four of those teams having games in hand over The Ammies, all they can do to give themselves the best chance is keep winning, and three points at Skem will send a very clear message of intent.
What the managers said
Anthony Johnson said when Moor Lane welcomed Tommy Lawson’s men that he couldn’t understand how Skem were 20th in the league, and praised their style of football, saying it was “as good as I’ve seen”.
But he is under no illusions how difficult it will be for his side, and believes preparation is key:
“We’re quite confident now from that group of 17 or 18 players that we can get on a good run, but when we play Skem on Saturday, Halesowen on Tuesday, and Sutton the following Saturday, we’ve got to prepare the exact same as we have done for the last two games against Ashton and Workington, and treat them all as cup finals.
“We just want to keep hold of that second place for as long as we can and keep putting the pressure on Blyth.”
Main image by Charlotte Tattersall/@SalfordFCPhotos
