Saturday's Opponents: Ashton Athletic

"We'll do alright next season. We've got a young squad and if we can keep them all together we'll be there or thereabouts..."
Ashton Athletic manager to Trevor Howard, some point last season

He hasn't been proved wrong. Ashton Athletic - mere newcomers to the NWCFL Div 2 scene last season - are having a pretty good 2007-2008 thus far. Fifth position in the table, 34 points from 17 games and just three defeats to their name all season has earned them "surprise package" status this term. To emphasise the apparent size of Cheadle's task on Saturday, Ashton Athletic have got a defence that could be best described as tight as a camel's arse in a sandstorm: just 14 goals have beaten their 'keeper all season - only New Mills and Kirkham & Wesham can claim a better figure in their 'A' column.

This is a great chance for Cheadle to motor on and make that top-ten league finish that little bit more likely. A performance akin to that of last week when we beat Athletic's neighbours would do the trick.

Come on Cheadle!